Missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys remembered during Winnipeg march

Corinne Chief, who lost her brother to a violent attack in November 2021, became emotional as she joined more than a hundred people in downtown Winnipeg on a walk to remember missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.

The march was led by three men drumming in a circle in the bed of a slow-moving truck, following a route from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to the steps of the Manitoba legislative building on Tuesday. Those marching behind carried signs honouring their loved ones.

As the organizer of the march, Chief said it's important to raise awareness, advocate for justice and stand with grieving families trying to heal their wounds. 

She understands the pain of losing a loved one after her 28-year-old brother Felix Bernard Chief was confronted by a group of strangers who stabbed and kicked him in the head while he was out biking in the area around Burrows Avenue and Aikins Street.

Paramedics found Chief unresponsive in the early hours of Nov. 7, 2021, and rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Her brother was a "loving, caring [and] gentle person" who would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it, but his life was taken too soon, Chief said. 

She said the least she can do now is be a voice for change and continue his legacy by holding a march to acknowledge all missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.

"I want to do this just to honour him, honour his life because his life mattered and it still does," she said. 

Jordan Rae Myerion pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Chief's death and received a seven-year sentence. Three other men were charged with manslaughter.

Chief said it was difficult to cope during the court case, but sharing stories about her brother and attending cultural ceremonies have helped her heal. She had a vision that guided her to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys and ways to support families through loss.

Chief told the crowd at the legislative building how there needs to be an equal amount of support and recognition for men and boys compared to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender diverse people. 

"It's not acknowledged as much as it should be," she said, adding that she wants Canada to create a national day to honour missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys just like May 5 is annually recognized to remember women, girls and gender diverse people who disappeared or were murdered. 

Indigenous men have sacred and important roles in their communities and also need a safe space to work through any mental health challenges, inter-generational trauma and a loss of their identity and culture, she said.

The latest data from the federal government shows 225 Indigenous people were victims of homicide across Canada in 2022 with 169 being men and boys. Thirty-three per cent of the male victims were reported missing at the time of their death.

"This is not just about my brother, it's about everybody who came out for their loved ones," Chief said.

Tuesday's walk included a moment of silence and an opening song sung by a close friend of Chief's brother, dedicated to wish healing upon those grieving.

Darlene Ahmo wiped tears from her eyes and got choked up as she listened to the song and remembered her son William Ahmo, 45, who was taken off life support and died in hospital following an altercation with a corrections officer at the Headingley Correctional Centre in February 2021.

The officer pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life. He was eventually acquitted in Ahmo's death.

Ahmo's mother said she feels like a piece of her heart is gone and yearns for the ability to hug her son from Sagkeeng First Nation who was "loving, outgoing, friendly and had so many friends."

"It just seemed like no big deal, he was just another Indigenous person and I am very saddened by that and I am hurt, but I will continue on, you know, to fight for him."