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Though brisk outside, the passion for social justice and equality kept women’s marchers warm in Regina Saturday morning.
Out of the couple hundred people who participated, many of them wore red as a way to stand in solidarity with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and their families.
Here are some signs at today’s #WomensMarch. This year, Regina’s focusing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. #MMIWG #WomensWave #YQR @WomensMarchYQR pic.twitter.com/6SUqm3fbZ2
— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) January 19, 2019
Dressed in her traditional ribbon skirt, Kiauna Cote was one of them.
Cote said she marched in honour of those missing and murdered from her home community of Ochapowace First Nation, which is around 25 kilometres northeast of Broadview.
“They have a target on their back — just because of who they are, just because they’re a woman and they’re Indigenous,” she said. “A lot of the times, these women don’t have a voice to speak up for them, so we’re making a difference marching today. It’s a beautiful thing.”
But even at 19 years old, Cote said this movement has her thinking about future generations.
Tracy Desjarlais (right) stands holding a Canada flag with the words “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” written on it, ahead of the YWCA’s second annual Women’s March in Regina on Jan. 19, 2019. (Jessie Anton/980 CJME)
“One day I will have a daughter and granddaughter, so I’m doing it for them so they can walk these streets safely,” she explained.
Meanwhile, as Tracy Desjarlais marched with a MMIWG-designed Canada flag in her hand, she said her thoughts trailed back to her niece.
“Last year, on Mother’s Day weekend, one of my nieces went missing in B.C. and we found her body, I think, 45 days later,” she said. “We figure she was murdered, but there was no investigation.”
In years to come, Desjarlais said she hopes events like the Women’s March help people grasp the importance of protecting women and children.
“We’re the life-givers; if it wasn’t for women, a lot of the people here today wouldn’t be here,” she explained.
In having this year’s second annual Women’s March in Regina focus on MMIWG, YWCA organizer Paula Krasiun-Winsel hopes it’ll shine a light on the crisis in Canada and trigger action.
“We thought it was really important to our community and to the women who are served by the YWCA,” she said. “It’s a way to connect to something a lot deeper than ourselves.”
Dozens join Women’s March in Saskatoon
Despite frigid temperatures and a windchill hovering at -40 C, dozens of people met at the Amphitheatre at River Landing for Saskatoon’s third annual Women’s March.
Mayor Charlie Clark joined the crowd, tweeting “-36 C wind chill didn’t stop Saskatoon Women’s March.”
He went on to say “this work is as important as ever.”
-36 wind chill didn’t stop the Saskatoon women’s march to end gender based violence this morning. This work is as important as ever, thank you to the organizers and all of those who came out to support! #yxe #WomensMarch @womensmarchSask pic.twitter.com/70JUMmQ9sj
— Charlie Clark (@charlieclarkyxe) January 19, 2019
Unifor was also well represented at the march, which drew attention to gender-based violence.
Cold day for the Women's March in Saskatoon. Sisters and brother from Unifor Local2-s out showing their support. #WomensMarch2019 #WomensWave #yxe #UniforWomensMarch pic.twitter.com/rWZs5HQDCY
— Tammy Hinds (@Li_ta1571) January 19, 2019
Regina and Saskatoon joined thousands of other women’s marches around the world on Saturday, where violence against women was also a central focus.
The Women’s March movement began in the U.S., following the 2017 inauguration of President Donald Trump.
— With files from 650 CKOM