Thanks to Jennifer Chieh Ho, BC Regional Council, for this report and photos from the February 14th Women's Memorial March in Vancouver. Jennifer, along with other members of the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee attended the march.
I attended a very special event on February 14, 2012, I reflected, paused and appreciated some things in my life as a result of my participation of this event and would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts with you in the hopes it will do the same for you as well.
On February 14 of every year, most will smile, hug and greet each other with a joyful “Happy Valentine’s Day!” or “Happy V-Day” whilst for some; it is a day filled with sorrow and sadness. This is a day when some people commemorate the loss of their loved ones and participate in memorial marches across Canada, such as Vancouver.
2012 marked the 21ST Women’s Memorial March through the Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES), at Hastings and Main Street, where over 600 First Nations women have disappeared or been murdered.
The following was shared by the organiser at DTES Vancouver: “In January 1991 a woman was murdered on Powell Street. Her name is not spoken today, respecting the wishes of her family. Her death was the catalyst to move women to take action leading to this special Valentine’s Day March”.
Unlike the wet rainy day in 2011, it turned out to be a gorgeous day this year. I was pleased to be joined by Sisters from the UNE BC Region, along with Sisters and Brothers from the PSAC Vancouver Regional Office, PSAC Women’s Committee, PSAC Human Rights Committee and Newton Advocacy Group Society. We were met by an Aboriginal Sister when we first arrived who gave us each a beautifully decorated card with a meaningful saying honouring the murdered women. The saying on my card reads “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal in honour of Laurie Scholtz.”
Before the march started at 1 pm, there was a gathering inside the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre where families of the missing and murdered women shared stories of their loved ones. The speakers told very emotional stories but all showed their strengths as they recalled their stories. Someone said, “Our loved ones are in a better place, they don’t have to suffer anymore. They may be looking at us from wherever they are and wanting to tell us that they are alright.”
Outside the Center, there were drums, chanting, singing, praying and greetings. An Aboriginal Brother was giving out fresh bannock generously to the public; he was content to see smiles on the faces of all ages that came to get the bannock. We did not take any as we wanted to let the less fortunate Sisters and Brothers have the treat. It was a touching gesture. Though a sad day and event, the energy surrounding us was just amazingly powerful. There was smudging for bad luck to go away and to gather best wishes. One woman was crying, I went over to put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her, she looked at me, gave me a hug and the emotions were contagious. There was a lot of support, crying, hugging and story sharing. We were all there for the same reason and I felt the pain and loss the families and people were feeling.
The March then started at 1 pm. The families paraded out from the Center to the intersection of Main and Hastings Streets. There were banners, pictures, ribbons, poster boards and handmade quilts with the names of the loved ones. The march participants sang and danced beautifully to the “Women’s Warrior song” accompanied by the powerful and energetic sound of different sized drums. It was very moving. There were hundreds, if not thousands gathered at the spot. Most of the attendees were Aboriginal People, but there were other ethnic groups and h young and old. A very interesting thing is that, every year, eagles would join up in the sky right above this crowd and as the Women’s Warrior song plays. This year was no different as there were two eagles which looked like they were dancing to the music as they lifted up into the sky!
The warrior song was played throughout the entire march. The crowd stopped at sites where women were last seen or had been found murdered. Each stop was acknowledged with a cedar smudging ceremony. The crowd attracted people to join the march as it moved on. Two hours later, the march ended at the Oppenheimer Park. The march then ended with a candle light vigil to commemorate the missing and murdered women of the Downtown Eastside, with candles being placed around the Totem Poles, leaving another beautiful and emotional moment.
Being part of this was a great and unforgettable experience. It is a reminder that we have to stand in solidarity to keep fighting for women’s rights and to remember those unfortunate Sisters!