NORTH BATTLEFORD — There was a sea of red in a room at Eagle’s Landing in North Battleford on Feb. 5 as families and supporters came together to honour missing and murdered Indigenous men and women.
The event was organized by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC).
The date marked the anniversary of when the remains of Candie Pritchard were found on Red Pheasant Cree Nation two years ago. The gathering honoured her memory and recognized the ongoing impact on families across area First Nations.
Holding back tears, Pritchard’s family members, including her mother, Lorna Stone, and her sister, Sugar Dupuis, spoke at the event.
"Her life mattered," Dupuis said of Pritchard. "Her voice mattered. She left behind eight beautiful children … She also had two grandchildren who she never had the chance to hold. Losing her has brought unimaginable pain."
"It's been two years and we haven't got any answers," Dupuis said. "Anybody who can come forward, the case isn't closed yet. We're very heartbroken. It's hard to talk about."
The families of missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin (Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation) and missing man Ryan Nicotine (Red Pheasant Cree Nation) were also invited to attend, along with families from BATC First Nations and surrounding communities.
Mosquito Grizzly Bear's Head Lean Man First Nation Chief Tanya Stone said it is very important to say the names of missing and murdered Indigenous people to keep their memories alive, ensure they are not forgotten, and increase awareness.
"We continue to do our best as leaders, as a regional area, to address the murdered and missing in the Battlefords," she said. "Within the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs area there's 18 homicides. There's been 18 homicides and half of them have found someone guilty. The other half is unknown, or [there have been] no charges. It's very disheartening. I couldn't even imagine that stress for our families."
Stone encouraged people to contact the RCMP with any information they may have.
"Even if you think it's a rumour, go to the RCMP and share that information," she said.
Red Pheasant Cree Nation Chief Cody Benson said families need closure and answers in cases involving missing and murdered loved ones.
"There are a lot of unsolved murders and unsolved people that are missing," he said. "We just need to find a way to get some answers for them, and help the families find some closure also."
