BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to ''They’re our balance': Search for missing Indigenous women aided by campaign,' published Nov. 18.
I am writing to you to express my utmost support of the Tree of Hope ceremony at the police headquarters in Barrie. I think this is a simple step toward raising awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people across Canada.
Any kind of steps toward truth and reconciliation within our communities is vital, especially when considering the missing Indigenous women around our cities.
Autumn Shaganash is one of the women who have gone missing in the last year, and her story particularly feels close to home, as the place she went missing from is just around the corner from my home.
It’s important to recognize that these stories aren’t ones that are happening only in the media or in other countries; they are happening in our backyard, which makes the need for ceremonies such as this one a top priority.
This ceremony is an incredible way to raise awareness and money for any information about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people across Canada. No family should have to suffer alone and having the support of the police and other organizations provides a sense of belonging within our communities. It is a beacon of hope, light and unity.
Thank you for continuing to spread information about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people across Canada which inspires continued efforts to promote healing and justice.
Laura Dykstra
Lakehead University, student
