Vigil brings attention to violence against Aboriginal women

On a fairly cold and windy evening in Saskatoon on May 3, a few people took the time to gather in a soccer field for a worthy cause: to remember Aboriginal women who have gone missing and murdered and to talk about ways to stop the senseless violence that perpetuates such acts.

“Violence against women is unacceptable… It’s unaccept-able, it destroys families,” said Sue Martin of Ontario, who was at the vigil to speak about her daughter’s murder. “My life, my husband’s life, Terri’s life. It will never be the same.”

Her daughter, Terrie Ann Dauphinais, was 24 years old and living in Calgary when she was found murdered in April, 2002. Martin said Dauphinais’ death left three young children without a mother, and they now live with their father in Saskatoon. The father has not allowed Martin to see her grandchildren since her daughter’s funeral.

With an eagle feather clutched tightly in her hand, Martin read out a poem she wrote to help her deal with her grief. She implored the small crowd gathered to reach out and help if they should encounter any sort of violence against women or children.

“My goal is to get the message out, if you hear a women scream. If you’re scared, take a stand, call 911,” Martin said, adding her only hope for an outcome for her daughter’s case is to have the killer go to jail.

“To have justice for her. It’s been eight years,” Martin said, adding it would give her some kind of relief.

Ethel Ahenekew attended the vigil because she wants to learn more about the host organization,  Iskwewak E-wichiwitochik, and somehow help to bring attention to the cause. She offered a prayer at the end of the vigil to implore help for the families who suffer from the loss of loved ones— the missing and murdered Aboriginal women— and for increased involvement from government and First Nation leaders.

“All I know is we’re here to deal with this (issue of) women. I hope that they (leaders) will plan to do what they can about it,” she said referring to Chiefs at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Helen Smith-McIntyre of Amnesty International was also at the vigil as her organization works collaboratively with the ‘Sisters in Spirit’ campaign of Iswewuk E-wichiwitochik.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done, things that need to be changed,” she said. “Racist attitudes and paternalism, gender issues and (ideas of) women being lesser than men, issues of poverty and violence. This is how I see this, as rooted in all of these pieces,” Smith-McIntyre added.

Vigil organizer and chairperson of the volunteer organization, Iskwewak E-wichiwitochik, Myrna Laplante said the organization strives to bring attention to the ongoing cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and offer support for the families through the events held throughout the year.