Nadleh Whut’en, in partnership with Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), has announced the unveiling of a new “Hope and Strength” billboard along the Highway of Tears.
Nadleh’s billboard will be located five kilometres east of Fraser Lake at the Tse Yaz Bunk’et Gas Bar & Café (5965 Highway 16 East).
“The billboards are important to draw awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous people along Highway 16 and to bring hope and strength to our people,” said Serina Greene, family advocate at Nadleh Whut’en. “It took a lot of people and partnerships to make this possible, and it warms my heart to see so many come together for justice. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.”
CSFS, in partnership with the Highway of Tears Governing Body, raised their own Hope and Strength billboards along Highway 16 in 2023.
“Highway 16 has been a place of hurt for many Indigenous families, and we want to honour those families to the best of our abilities” says Julie Daum, CSFS executive director of justice. “Amidst the heartache of the Highway of Tears, these Hope and Strength billboards are a symbol of our resiliency. The strength shown by families who have lost loved ones along Highway 16 is inspirational, and gives us strength in our campaign for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Men, Boys, and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals who are missing or have been murdered along this highway. All of this work is for them.”
There will be an unveiling event at Tse Yaz Bunket on June 25 with drumming and speeches starting at 10:30 a.m.
