Indigenous Studies class at Sexsmith Secondary School hosts: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Tribute

The grade 11 and 12 students came up with the idea to host the tribute event because they, “wanted to educate as many people as possible and show respect and support to all of the families of missing, murdered, indigenous women and girls,” says Nicky Caldwell, Indigenous Studies teacher at Sexsmith Secondary School.

Caldwell explains that she is proud of the work her students are doing because “they didn’t know anything about this issue and through educating them, they are educating others.”

Sexsmith Mayor Kate Potter is set to attend and show support on behalf of the entire town.

Indigenous advocate Delaine Lambert-English will speak about her Hug A Sister organization and share her own personal story in relation to missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

“I think people need to recognize that understanding the truth of the past will only make for a more united and culturally inclusive Canada and I think that the kids have really grasped onto that concept of creating unity,” said Caldwell.

Bridget Benning, the indigenous educator for Peace Wapiti is also set to speak on behalf of the district, to share how the district is moving forward with indigenous topics and reconciliation

Caldwell shares that, “there are 1,181 documented cases of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada from 1980 to 2012. This is equivalent to 36 indigenous females going missing and murdered per year. Indigenous females are three times more likely to be victims of violence than non-indigenous females in Canada and many of these cases have gone unresolved.”

She believes that it is important for students to be aware of these occurrences and that education is the most important part towards moving forward. Still, she shares that the topic is often misconstrued in the public eye.

“A lot of my generation says ‘well, get over it. That was many years ago.’ But the truth is that it’s all circular. They had their traditions and their culture taken away from them. They didn’t have the skills that non-indigenous people generally were given. They weren’t in loving homes. There was the 60s scoop where they were taken from their homes and put in abusive situations and not in every instance of course, but there are very high statistics in that.”

Caldwell feels that the sharing of stories creates awareness and helps with the reconciliation process, a process that is imperative to the prevention of future occurrences.

“I believe what has gotten lost in the translation of the issue, is that people forget that these are someone’s daughters, mothers, cousins, aunties, sisters and friends, and the intent here is not only just to bring awareness but to have somewhere in the community for people to come and pay tribute to those that they have lost forever.”

The class has done several things to pay tribute to the lost women. They will unveil a commemorative plaque at the tribute, as well as a newly planted lilac tree.

Caldwell explains that students, “felt that an ornamental tree would be really symbolic of something that is standing here but brings new life every year. The fact there are new blooms every year, people can understand that those spirits of those women and girls are still here.”

In addition, a Red Dress ceremony is planned. Student Tasha Herbison has gone above and beyond to create red dress ornaments with the help of her fellow classmates.

The red dress has become the symbol associated with missing and murdered indigenous women.

“Our talented student, Tasha Herbison actually came to me one day with an origami red dress that she had made and the next thing I know, she was making hundreds of these dresses and kids from our class and other classes were assisting in some of the creation and stringing them on yarn to wrap around the newly planted lilac tree in tribute for these women,” said Caldwell.

A blessing of the new lilac tree will be carried out at the tribute and community members are invited to share their own stories.

Students have also worked to bake cookies decorated with red dresses for the event and a round dance is planned to conclude the ceremony.

The event is being held by the school, but it is open to public attendance. “Our hope is that we’ll get people from all walks of life and all cultures come in,” said Caldwell.

by Courtney Almeida

Indigenous Studies class at Sexsmith Secondary School hosts: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Tribute

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