On February 10th, 2006 14 year old Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh resident Aielah Saric-Augera was found deceased on a Highway 16 embankment, and this discovery set off a chain reaction of activism across northern BC leading to the first Highway of Tears Symposium. Now 20 years later, the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit peoples (MMIWG2S+) has far more visibility, but indigenous people continue to disappear or be murdered at a much higher rate than their settler counterparts. At the 20th anniversary of this event, occurring at the Civic Centre April 7th-10th in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, the past origins, the current reality, and hopes for the future of the MMIWG2S+ issue were all on the table during public demonstrations, discussion through panels, and more.

Speaking to CFURadio at the gathering was Mary Teegee, Executive Director, Child and Family Services at Carrier Sekani Family Services, and BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) Regional Chief, Terry Teegee. Ongoing concerns such as the creation of man camps in remote areas where industrial development is occurring, unaddressed calls to action, recommendations, and systemic societal issues were a few of the obstacles cited in the conversation.

In terms of the community advocating for government support, Mary Teegee welcomed citizens to demand better from their government representatives because, “this is not an Indigenous problem, it's a Canadian problem.”

To watch panels & discussions from the Highway of Tears 20th Anniversary Symposium, visit the Carrier Sekani Family Services facebook page here.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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