BR Highway Of Tears Walk – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Sep 20, 2017

VANCOUVER – Family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women will begin a five-day walk along a notorious stretch of highway in central B-C starting tomorrow in advance of hearings looking into the Canadian tragedy.

Dozens of women have disappeared or been killed along the stretch of Highway 16 known as the Highway of Tears.

Gladys Radek walks to remember her niece Tamara Lynn Chipman who went missing in 2005 and says she can feel the spirits of women who are missing or have been murdered walking beside her.

Supporters will relay their walks in the 350 kilometres between Prince Rupert and Smithers, where some of the family members will testify to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The inquiry has faced turmoil in recent months with the resignation of its executive director and a commissioner and some families and Indigenous groups withdrawing their support.

But Chief Commissioner Marion Buller says the inquiry will always face scrutiny and the focus is on making sure the hearings are successful for families.

About 25 people — including family members and survivors of violence — are expected to testify at the hearings in Smithers over three days next week.

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(The Canadian Press)

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