February 14, 2018 - The 10th Annual Valentine's Day Memorial Walk is being held to bring together families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and to acknowledge their loss, support them in their grief and educate the public about this issue.

"Come walk with us today as we walk in honour of missing and murdered women and girls," said Sharon Johnson, Valentine's Day Memorial Walk organizer and founder.

Johnson's own sister, Sandra Johnson, was found murdered near the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway on February 13, 1992. Her sister was 18. 

"Valentine's Day, for me, is a reminder of how we got the news of her death," said Johnson. "Starting this walk was a way of turning the hurt into healing, of bringing families together to support one another to talk, to grieve, to heal and to share."
The walk began at City Hall and then proceeded to the Heritage Building at the CLE Grounds where there was a ceremony to honour the families who have lost loved ones. Families had the opportunity to speak and share their stories. This was followed by a community potluck feast.
The Ontario Native Women's Association also launched the new Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women website at the event. 

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Contact:      Sharon Johnson, event organizer and founder, 807-620-6916