Days after a court decision that found Gerard Stanley not guilty in the killing of Colton Boushie, about 50 people gathered at the Prince George courthouse on Wednesday as part of the yearly march commemorating missing and murdered indigenous women.
The march has been held for several years in Prince George and communities throughout Canada, and has drawn particular attention to women who went missing or were murdered along Highway 16. The so-called 'highway or tears' between Prince George and Prince Rupert has been the site of as many as 50 unsolved murders or disappearances since 1969. On Wednesday, the march made its way from the courthouse to the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
Kasandra Johnny-Turbide, who studies environmental studies at UNBC, attended the march. She had organized another rally on Monday in response to the Colton Boushie verdict. The rally drew close to 100 people. The young indigenous man was shot and killed by Stanley on his Saskatchewan property.
Johnny-Turbid said the verdict fit a well-established pattern of injustices that have faced indigenous people throughout Canada's history.
"I think the whole country, the indigenous community was devastated that he didn't at least get manslaughter," she said, referring to Stanley.
#MMIW march in #cityofPG pic.twitter.com/V4LdrEJ2iB
— Stuart Neatby (@stu_neatby) February 15, 2018
The verdict has drawn intense criticism from many throughout the country. The jury did not include anyone of indigenous descent.
Speakers at the march drew a connection between the Stanley verdict, missing and murdered indigenous women in B.C., and other issues related to First Nations people's experiences with the criminal justice system in Canada.
Brenda Wilson's sister, Ramona, was murdered in 1994. Her body was found near the Smithers airport.
Since that time, Wilson has been an outspoken advocate for increased safety measures along Highway 16. Last year, this work resulted in the establishment of a government transit service along the highway.
"It took ten years to implement the transit system. They implemented almost every community between Prince George and Prince Rupert," Wilson said.
Approximately 5000 people have used the transit service over the past year, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
Wilson, who currently works in the capacity of a Family Support Worker with the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, hopes that other steps will be implemented to safeguard hitchhikers and other women travelling along Highway 16.
"They've just announced that there's going to be internet in spots along Highway 16," she said.
"They're setting up wifi. Also they have a five year plan, where they're going to look at implementing webcams along Highway 16 so that there are places that are visible where the majority of people are congregating to find rides."
For Wilson, these signs of progress have been slow, but are important nevertheless.
"Even though it's taken so long for a lot of things to be implemented, we still have to stand up for the violence that's going on within our communities. The justice system doesn't work in our everyday life today."
Johnny-Turbid, who grew up in a community close to Vanderhoof, said hitchhiking along Highway 16 is still commonplace. Her mother continues to hitchhike, which is a source of worry.
"One thing that does make me hopeful - recently my mom did hitchhike from Vanderhoof . The police officer actually stopped who she was with, and asked if she was safe," Johnny-Turbid said.
"So I have hope that things are changing."
E-PANA, the RCMP investigation unit looking into missing and murdered women along Highway 16 has been investigating 18 such cases since 2006.
Wayne Clary, a file coordinator for E-PANA, said that some progress has been made.
One suspect, Garry Handlin, is currently awaiting trial for first degree murder in connection with the 1978 death of Monica Jack. Police believe another suspect, Bobby Jack Fowler, was responsible for the death of three other women. Fowler died in a U.S. Prison in 2006.
Clary said RCMP continue follow-up with new leads.
"Probably in the last six months, we've probably got 60-70 tips," Clary said.
Clary said he believes that many of these tips will continue to bear fruit.
"Somebody knows something. Whether it's a suspicion, just let us know and let us figure it out."
