A project launched in Thunder Bay to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people has spread to the nation’s capital.
The Tree of Hope was started six years ago by now-retired Thunder Bay police constable Sharlene Bourdeau. It sees a Christmas three lit up with red lights representing missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people.
The first tree was lit outside of Thunder Bay police headquarters, and the program has since expanded to other police services.
And on Monday night, a Tree of Hope was lit on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
“It really is important,” said Thunder Bay police Chief Darcy Fleury, who attended the ceremony in Ottawa. “I worked across the country, I’ve worked with many different agencies throughout my time in the RCMP, and now with Thunder Bay and I’m aware that there’s cases across the country.”
4:53First MMIWG Tree of Hope lights up Parliament Hill
Christmas trees at police stations across the country are lit up this season to build awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirited persons. Thunder Bay police chief Darcy Fleury joined Jonathan ahead of a special tree lighting at Parliament Hill.
“So I think it really is just an important piece to show our Indigenous community that the police services do support, that we are united in our care for them.”
Monday’s ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu.
“This is a national crisis, and we all — law enforcement, governments, health services, and others — must do better,” Hajdu said in a statement. “The Thunder Bay Police’s lighting of the MMIWG2S Tree of Hope on Parliament Hill calls on us to do just that. We are each other’s people, and we must stand together to end this crisis.”