MMIWG families on the highway of tears want more involvement in national events

People will be marching in Terrace, B.C., Tuesdayto raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girlsas the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) kicks off a two-day gathering in Vancouver to discuss a national MMIWG action plan.

But march organizer Gladys Radek saidfor the communities along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, known as the Highway of Tears, theAFN's National MMIWG2S+ Gathering doesn't mean much.

Radek's niece Tamara Lynn Chipman disappearedin 2005. She was last seen trying to hitch a ride outside Prince Rupert.

Radek said she isn't aware of anyone from the area who was asked to attend the AFN gathering in Vancouver.

"It really bothers a lot of our families because they're never invited to certain functions," said Radek, who is Wet'suwet'en and lives in Terrace.

"If they're discussing our cases, why can't we be involved?"

CBCNews reached out to AFNfor an interview but no one was available by deadline. An AFN spokesperson said ina statement that invites to the gathering were sent throughits website and social media channels and regional organizations were aware of the event.

Virtual sessions for the gathering are also being held on Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.

About eight hours before thegatheringin Vancouver started, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations put out a news release welcoming families from across Canada to the gathering.

In the release,Regional B.C. Chief Terry Teegeesaid the gathering was an important opportunity to bring MMIWG families and survivors together for "mutual strength and support."

CBCNews also contacted the B.C. regional chief's office for an interview but did not hear back by deadline.It is unclearwhat efforts were made by theofficeto bring families fromnorthern B.C. to the event.

Radek said families from northern B.C. should have a voice at the gathering, because they know the changes needed to make their own communities safer.

"You can't leave the families out and make decisions on our behalf," said Radek.

Registration for the AFN MMIWG gathering opens Tuesday at 5p.m. PST; the event ends on Thursday.

Northern B.C. families looking for information

Sheriden Martin, who lives in Hazelton, B.C., about 200 kilometresnortheastfrom Prince Rupertalong Highway 16, saidshe would have gone to the AFN gathering if she hadknown more about it.

Martin's sister, Cynthia Martin, went missing in 2018 from New Hazelton. Last August, RCMP confirmedhuman remains found inMay had been identified as Cynthia's.

"I think I had heard trickles about[the AFN gathering], but I never knew the exact date and I couldn't find information on it," said Martin.

Martin saidMMIWG families in her area usually aren't aware of these events in southern urban centres, despite the fact she feels most supported when she's gathered with others who understand her situation.

"It is healing to sit with other families that have been through this," said Martin.

She said she wants anationalwebsitefor MMIWG families to connect, where all the information about gatherings like this week's in Vancouverare stored in one place.

Garry Brownin Port Edward, B.C., nearPrince Rupert, also didn't know about the event.

In 2004 Brown lost his granddaughter Kayla-Rose McKay, whohe and his wife had raised.McKay was 13 when she was found dead in Prince Rupert.

Brownsaid McKay leftto meet up with friends one Wednesday evening and never returnedhome. OnFriday night RCMP came to Brown's door saying McKay's body had been found.

He saidher death was ruled alcohol poisoning but he never knew his daughter to drink.

"To this day, we don't believe it," said Brown.

Brown wants her case to be reopened.

People in Prince Rupert plan to holdanMMIWG march on April 14, where Brown and families will call for thereopening of their loved ones' cases.