In photos: Youth lead rally for missing women as Curtis Sagmoen faces latest court charges
Youth came together to share messages of resistance, strength and courage.
On Jan. 7, more than 25 people gathered outside of the Vernon Provincial Court where the first hearing for Curtis Sagmoen’s latest assault charge was held.
The group of mostly youth was there to raise awareness for missing local women, including honouring the life of Traci Genereaux, a young woman whose remains were found at the Sagmoen family farm near Enderby, B.C.
Sharing messages of resistance, strength and courage has often been handled by the older women in Indigenous nations, commonly the reason why older women are called, “Aunty.”
Being an Aunty signifies you are a woman who cares for the people.
One of the women warriors and a respected Aunty, who does not want to be named due to safety concerns, shared a message to the youth that showed up to ensure their voices were heard.
“You guys [youth] were called by the [spirits of the missing] women,” she said.
The Aunty, whose life work has always been grounded in raising awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Girls (MMIWG), shared with IndigiNews what it meant to see youth show up in large numbers to the courthouse.
“I feel happy and relieved, and I know the blood, sweat and tears that has gone into making this [message] elevated, and I believe the [spirit of the missing] women choose the people.”
Other media in attendance asked the group who the ‘organizer’ was, however, folks were reluctant to identify themselves in that way, because in some Indigenous nations there is no hierarchy, it’s many hearts coming together to do the good work.
“This is something that is happening within our very own home, so we need to do everything we can to protect ourselves. We deserve safety when delivering messages for those who cannot,” said one of the Syilx and Secwepemc youth.
IndigiNews followed as Syilx and Secwepemc youth drove from the courthouse to the Sagmoen farm following the hearing. When they arrived, the group laid down medicine, hung a red dress, and together repeated “we will not stop until we have answers, no justice, no peace!”
Once the dresses were hung, the youth sang a women’s warrior song and a strong woman song, both prayer and honour songs that uplift the strength and lives of the women.
Before departing from the Sagmoen farm the youth had one final message to the family, they came together and said: “No more stolen sisters!”
Author
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.
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 nowLatest Stories
-
Low sockeye salmon numbers expected in the Okanagan as waters warm: ONA
syilx Nation members are being asked to ‘take only what they need’ as ‘difficult’ environmental conditions create challenges for the important fish
-
Olympic bobsledder Eden Wilson aims to ‘help open doors’ for aspiring Indigenous athletes
Recently inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame, the ‘Calgary’-based Métis athlete is working to break barriers for the next generation
