Fact-based journalism that sparks the Canadian conversation
[hmenu id=2]
Uncategorized
Portraits of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
An illustrated tribute and an attempt to elevate political interest
- by Evan MundayEvan Munday Updated 10:30, Oct. 8, 2020 | Published 9:00, Jan. 12, 2015This article was published over a year ago. Some information may no longer be current.
Since 1980, over 1,186 Indigenous women in Canada have gone missing or been murdered. Despite widespread outcry for a public inquiry into this tragedy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently noted the issue “isn’t really high on our radar.” On January 5, Toronto illustrator Evan Munday began tweeting illustrated portraits of the women to the prime minister—both as a tribute to honour them, and an attempt to elevate political interest. Similar initiatives include those of Lauren Crazybull, who is making an audio documentary of the women’s stories, and poet Gregory Scofield, who tweets the name and photo of one missing Indigenous woman per day.
Danita Faith Bigeagle (b. 1984), a mother of two, was last seen in Regina on February 9, 2007. Read her story at nwac.ca.Maggie Lea Burke (b. 1983) was last seen in Edmonton on December 9, 2004.Amanda Bartlett (b. 1979) was last seen in Winnipeg on July 30, 1996.Abigail Patrice Andrews (b. 1982) was last seen in Fort St. John, BC on April 7, 2010. She was pregnant at the time of her disappearance.Roberta Marie Ferguson (b. November 19, 1968) was last seen near Cultus Lake, BC on August 24, 1988. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance.Angel Edna Carlick was last seen alive in Whitehorse on May 27, 2007. Her remains were discovered in a wooded area more than five months later. She was nineteen years old.Sharon Abraham, a mother of two, went missing from Vancouver in 2000. In 2009, RCMP investigators confirmed the discovery of her DNA on the farm belonging to serial killer Robert (Willie) Pickton.
Canada, are you freaking out? Here’s something you can do about it.
If you answered yes, you are not alone. Democracy and civil dialogue are in retreat around the world. In the past few weeks, we have been forced into a tariff war, seen the death of diplomacy on live TV, heard threats of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States, and have felt ripple effects of axed international aid, public health, and immigration changes well beyond our borders. At best, these are confusing and worrying times. At worst, the future of civil society is at stake.
At The Walrus, we have never been more committed to fact-checked, paywall-free reporting on Canada. These are no ordinary times, and we need your help. Support The Walrus with a donation today so that we can continue to deliver independent journalism that responds to and makes sense of the most critical issues at hand.
Jennifer Hollett
Executive Director, The Walrus
Canada, are you freaking out? Here’s something you can do about it.
If you answered yes, you are not alone. Democracy and civil dialogue are in retreat around the world. In the past few weeks, we have been forced into a tariff war, seen the death of diplomacy on live TV, heard threats of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States, and have felt ripple effects of axed international aid, public health, and immigration changes well beyond our borders. At best, these are confusing and worrying times. At worst, the future of civil society is at stake.
At The Walrus, we have never been more committed to fact-checked, paywall-free reporting on Canada. These are no ordinary times, and we need your help. Support The Walrus with a donation today so that we can continue to deliver independent journalism that responds to and makes sense of the most critical issues at hand.
