'I don't feel whole without it': B.C. woman searches for stolen ceremonial regalia

A B.C. woman is asking for help to recoverher ceremonial regalia after it was stolen from a vehicle outside a Prince George hotel.

Randi Gardypie says a large boxcontaining her beadwork, feathers, jingle dress and other accessorieswas taken last week from a locked truck.

"I don't think they even knew what they were taking and if whoever took it even understands the significance behind what was taken," she told CBC's Nicole Oud.

Gardypie, who is from the Beardy's & OkemasisCree Nationbased in Duck Lake,Sask., emphasized how important the regalia is to her and her family.

"It's not just regalia, it's how I was raised," Gardypie said. "It's part of me my spirit and part of who I am. I don't feel whole without it."

'Heartbreaking' theft

The handmade ceremonial items would take years to remake and replace, Gardypiesaid.

"I won't be dancing for two to three years, which is heartbreaking," she said emotionally.

"It's not just me that dances;I dance for my family and I dance for my children."

Some of the missing items, like Gardypie's jingle dress, were found in a garbage bin near the hotel where they were taken.

"That's a healing [dress], amedicine dress it kind of goes to show that whoever took it has no idea the significance behind it," she said.

Although the missing items are valuable, Gardypie said they will be difficult to sell because the symbols on them are very specific to her and her family.

"It's not like anyone can put it on, buy it and then it's never going to be seen again or people aren't going to recognize it," she said.

She said many people in Prince George haveoffered help, putting up posters, checking garbage binsand searching for the missing items.

Prince George RCMPsay the theft has been reported but there are no leads at this time.

Anyone who has information is asked toreport it to the Prince George RCMP.

With files from Daybreak North and Nicole Oud.