MMIWG2S rally to bring awareness to Merritt B.C. on Saturday

Danielle Jack’s most recent experience of near abduction will be on her mind and heart at the Saturday rally for MMIGW2S

By

●

,

●

Over the weekend, Central Park in so-called Merritt B.C. will be adorned with drummers, singers, and dancers, there to honour the lives and spirits of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).

The rally will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, explains Danielle Jack, one of the organizers. 

After opening ceremonies, she says the plan is for attendees to march down Voght Street — effectively shutting it down. Then they will return to the park where First Nations leaders and local politicians are scheduled to speak about the ongoing issue of violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people.

Jack says that now is the time for politicians, police services, and allies to show up,  support and listen to Indigenous women when they say they are not safe. 

Dancers from the Butterflies in Spirit dance group are also scheduled to attend, she says.

Jack was compelled to organize this rally because of an experience she had in Merritt in January, when she was walking to her car and three men pulled up and attempted to abduct her, she explains, sitting at the shore of Nicola Lake in Nlaka’pumux territory just after smudging off.

“It happened to me on January 14. I was just walking to my car and was almost abducted,” Jack tells IndigiNews.

“I feel like there’s not enough education or awareness out there, just with the heightened safety needs we have to have now. You can’t even walk to your car without getting nearly abducted,” she says.

Jack says the incident made her feel voiceless. She didn’t want to go to the police because she doesn’t feel she can trust them after witnessing so much injustice. 

“I fought and I screamed and it’s like I was screaming but no one could hear me,” she says. “I didn’t report it to police. Instead I took it to social media.” 

Jack’s story is one of courage, bravery and strength. While her latest experience of violence is only one motive for helping to organize the rally, she says it has amplified her desire to raise awareness of the issue.

Jack says it’s important for people to have a safety plan in place for the rally on Saturday as she will be sharing her story in full.

People have been asked to bring drums, songs, prayers, and open hearts and minds to listen to the messages that will be shared at the event, she says.

Author

Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

We live in a media ecosystem that thrives on misinformation. Big Tech and AI companies are consuming the work of real human beings and Canadian news has been banned on Facebook and Instagram.

Eden Fineday

And yet, I have hope for journalism because of the work we’re doing at IndigiNews.

At IndigiNews, we embody tâpwêwin — the Cree value of integrity and responsibility in truth-telling. We are committed to our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom rooted in community, accountability, and relationality. We believe storytelling is a sacred fire that connects our pasts, presents, and futures through the storytellers in our Storytelling Lodge. IndigiNews creates space for Indigenous journalists, storytellers, Knowledge Keepers, and communities to gather, learn, and share stories that matter.

As a registered charity, we are building a fire that allows our work not just to ignite but to thrive. Rather than relying on advertising or corporate acquisition, IndigiNews is sustained by people like you who believe Indigenous stories are important for the future of our communities.

Your support is making a real difference.

Our community of supporters, our Firekeepers, make it possible to grow our newsroom, publish award-winning journalism, train emerging Indigenous journalists through initiatives like the ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship, and publish trustworthy stories that serve our communities across the country. Every story we publish helps fill in gaps left by mainstream media and ensures Indigenous perspectives are represented with care, accuracy and respect.

But there is still more work to do.

As the media landscape becomes more and more uncertain, community support is as necessary and essential as it’s ever been. Every new Firekeeper helps protect the independence of our newsroom and strengthens journalism that is accountable to our many and varied communities over corporations.

That’s why we’re inviting you to become a Firekeeper.

Firekeepers tend to and protect the sacred fire. Your monthly contributions directly support IndigiNews’s Storytelling Lodge, helps sustain our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom, and ensures future generations of Indigenous storytellers have the resources they need to do the work.

As a registered Canadian charity, all eligible donations receive a charitable tax receipt.

If you believe Indigenous stories matter, if you value independent journalism, and if you want to help build a strong future for Indigenous media, we invite you to join our circle of Firekeepers today.

Together, we can keep the fire burning.

— Eden Fineday, Publisher, IndigiNews

Support us now

Latest Stories