The ʔaq̓am First Nation is marking Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day with a Red Dress march to Rotary Park.
Organizer Autumn Patrick said violence against women is more common for indigenous people.
“Indigenous people are five times more likely to die as a result of violence than non-indigenous and the percentage of indigenous people that are victims of violent crimes is twice that of non-indigenous,” she said.
“We also want to acknowledge that it’s not just women that are affected it’s also indigenous men who also have gone missing or who have been murdered.”
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day is on May 5, but the march will be the day before.
“We will be meeting at Street Angels at 11:15 on Saturday and march down to Rotary Park in honour of those who have been murdered or gone missing,” Patrick said.
“There will be some guest speakers, drummers and booths with information on resources that are available in the community.”
Marches first started being held in Cranbrook in 2022.
MORE: Cranbrook residents show support at Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls march (Feb. 14, 2022)
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