A walk to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women will take place Sunday at 5 p.m. starting from outside the Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford. (file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Awareness walk

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women walk planned for Sunday in downtown North Battleford

Jun 13, 2020 | 2:03 PM

Organizers are inviting people to take part in a walk to raise awareness of the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on Sunday in downtown North Battleford.

Connie and Keegan Beauchene are organizing the event that will begin from outside the Allen Sapp Gallery at 5 p.m. The participants will walk along 100 Street, turn right at 15th Avenue, then come back along 101 Street to return to the starting point.

“I’m hoping for a good turnout, definitely,” Connie said.

She is inviting participants to come to her home for soup and bannock after the event if they wish.

The issue also hits close to home for Connie as her niece, Courtney Johnstone, was murdered in Grande Prairie in 2014.

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Beauchene said the awareness walk is usually held on February 14 but this year she decided to hold it in June instead when the weather is warmer, to encourage more people to take part. The day also has a special meaning to the family since June 14 would mark Johnstone’s birthday if she were still alive.

Supporters of the family of missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin are also expected to take part. The 31-year-old was last seen on July 10, 2018. RCMP believe she was the victim of a homicide.

The walk will also honour Tiki Laverdiere who was last seen in North Battleford on May 1, 2019. Her remains were found outside the city on July 11.

Beauchene hopes the walk raises awareness of all missing and murdered Indigenous people.

She mentioned those taking part should keep in mind the province’s COVID-19 precautions, consider wearing a face mask and maintain a social distance between households as much as possible.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW