NORTH BATTLEFORD — People from the Battlefords and the surrounding area came together on July 10 to raise awareness that North Battleford woman Ashley Morin is still missing.
Morin, then 31, of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, was last seen on July 10, 2018, in North Battleford — eight years ago.
Janine Morin, Ashley's sister, organized the walk.
"I'm very, very emotional, but to see the support that we get from our own home community, it enlightens," Morin said. "It heals the soul a little bit."
"The drums are healing for us," she added. "And just to make our way to show the community that she's loved. She's missed. We're going to raise awareness every year until we bring her home."
Participants in the walk travelled from the Gold Eagle Casino to Library Park in North Battleford.
Morin said there are more people in the community who are also missing.
"We invite [people] to walk with us to show that strength, to be there for each other," she said. "This is a crisis that's gone under the rug for so many years. We are bringing it to life to show that our people deserve to be known. They are loved. They are missed by their own family, friends, and the community."
The route of the walk crossed by the RCMP station and City Hall.
"We want to walk by the RCMP station, to hear the chant, "Bring Ash Home," as it echoes down that street, that is so powerful that you could feel chills," Morin said. "We want the RCMP to know that she is loved. We are going to bring her home, regardless of what it may look like."
Morin said that Ashley is a special person.
"Ashley is the type of person that she would give the shirt off her back," she said. "She's got a heart of gold. To be around her, to hear her laugh, to see her beautiful smile, it was just amazing. We just want to bring her home."
"There's a $30,000 reward, if you know something," Morin added. "It may not be the clue, but it may be something to bring her home."
