Attendees from various backgrounds came together Saturday night and held hands as a show of solidarity. (Michael Joel Hanson/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

MMIWG

Community comes together to support families with missing loves ones

Oct 27, 2019 | 2:25 PM

A round dance and feast held Saturday night in Prince Albert was about tradition, spirituality, and raising awareness about the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

The event was made possible by a number of community agencies including the Prince Albert Police Service. Police Chief Jon Bergen said it’s important for police to build relationships in the community and show their support.

“I cannot imagine what it’s like for a family to continue that search alongside of us when we do have to continue to look for the people that are missing and look for those answers that are still unknown,” he said.

The theme of Saturday’s event was serious but many people could still be seen having a good time. (Michael Joel Hanson/ paNOW Staff)

There are currently 134 people missing in Saskatchewan. Bergen said within the police service, they have investigators assigned permanently to cases that remain unsolved.

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“And of course depending on how active the file or investigation can be, at times the entire criminal investigation division works on missing persons files,” he explained.

Elder Jake Sanderson from James Smith Cree Nation was on hand for the event and explained that within the First Nations culture, the feast and round dance is considered very spiritual, and is a sacred ceremony.

“It’s an honour to bring [the police] into the circle because they have a hard time in their work and they remember the spirit of the people they deal with every day,” he said.

In addition to the representatives from local agencies, a number of families were also on hand who have been personally affected by the loss and search of a loved one. Krystal Fox, was a spokesperson for the family of Ashley Morin. Morin was last seen in North Battleford on July 10, 2018. Although Morin’s body has not yet been found, police have said they consider Morin’s disappearance to be a homicide.

“Coming out to places like this gives us the opportunity to not only create more awareness for our missing loved ones but also helps us connect with other families who are missing their loved ones,” Fox said

Carol Wolfe’s daughter Karina went missing on July 2, 2010 in Saskatoon. Her body was found five-and-a half years later on Nov. 26, 2015 near the city’s airport. Karina was 20 years old at the time she disappeared.

“When my daughter went missing I didn’t have a lot of the supports and it was so tough to go through the grieving process and I just wanted my daughter to come home,” Wolfe said, adding it’s events like the one held Saturday night that help her heal.

With files from Michael Joel Hanson

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell