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.
Before you go, did you know that The Walrus is a registered charity? We rely on donations and support from readers like you to keep our journalism independent and freely available online.
When you donate to The Walrus, you’re helping writers, editors, and artists produce stories like the ones you’ve just read. Every story is meticulously researched, written, and edited, before undergoing a rigorous fact-checking process. These stories take time, but they’re worth the effort, because you leave our site better informed about Canada and its people.
If you’d like to ensure we continue creating stories that matter to you, with a level of accuracy you can trust, please consider becoming a supporter of The Walrus. I know it’s tough out there with inflation and rising costs, but good journalism affects us as well, so I don’t ask this lightly.
Will you join us in keeping independent journalism free and available to all?
Samia Madwar
Senior Editor, The Walrus
Hey, thank you for reading!
Before you go, did you know that The Walrus is a registered charity? We rely on donations and support from readers like you to keep our journalism independent and freely available online.
If you’d like to ensure we continue creating stories that matter to you, with a level of accuracy you can trust, please consider becoming a supporter of The Walrus. I know it’s tough out there with inflation and rising costs, but good journalism affects us as well, so I don’t ask this lightly.
Will you join us in keeping independent journalism free and available to all?
Do you believe facts matter? The average long-form feature costs $500 to fact-check at The Walrus. That’s why, to power this work, we have launched our Fact-Checking Fund. Join us in fighting dis- and misinformation by standing up for facts and making a donation today. By donating to this fund, you help ensure The Walrus can continue delivering fact-based journalism today and for years to come.
Jennifer Hollett
Executive Director, The Walrus
Fact-based journalism, made possible by you.
Do you believe facts matter? The average long-form feature costs $500 to fact-check at The Walrus. That’s why, to power this work, we have launched our Fact-Checking Fund. Join us in fighting dis- and misinformation by standing up for facts and making a donation today. By donating to this fund, you help ensure The Walrus can continue delivering fact-based journalism today and for years to come.