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Victim's Mother Calls for Improved Communication

By 250 News

With music and dance, the Highway of Tears Symposium welcomed about 500 people to a two day session looking for answers on how to prevent the kind of tragedy that has touched so many people who live along the Highway 16 corridor.

“The majority of the victims are First Nations women, and the majority of our people do not think this is a coincidence” said Dan George. He said these crimes must be looked at in the context of other crimes committed against young First Nations women like the case of Judge David Ramsey who preyed on young First Nations street workers, and the disappearance and murder of women from Vancouver’s East side.

Dan George told the crowd that if First Nations women are being targeted, it raises the question “does that constitute a hate crime within our society?” He reminded the gathering that no matter what kind of life or behaviour the young women are involved in, that does not justify them going missing or being murdered.

Mattilda Wilson, who has been trying to raise awareness in the 11 years since her daughter Ramona was murdered, said “Today we own the highway.” She walked from Smithers to Prince George on her part of a walk that started March 11th in Prince Rupert. “June 11this year it will be 12 years since my daughter was murdered and it hasn’t been solved yet.” said Matilda, “It doesn’t matter how long your loved one has been gone it seems like yesterday”.

She called upon investigators to “Please keep in touch with the families, and let us know what is going on.” Your words are so important to us, you are the investigators and the authority and we trust in you.” Through tears, she said “We just hope that one day you will find our loved ones and solve the murders.”

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