Tina Fontaine remembered in blanket vigil in Fredericton
Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay calls for justice reform
About 50 people gathered in front of City Hall in Fredericton on Monday evening and wrapped themselves in blankets as a sign of solidarity and support for Tina Fontaine.
Fontaine was a 15-year-old Indigenous girl from Sagkeeng First Nation, north of Winnipeg. Her body was pulled from Winnipeg's Red River in August 2014. Raymond Joseph Cormier was charged later that year with second-degree murder but was found not guilty earlier this month.
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Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay said the blankets people were asked to bring to the vigil symbolized strength and love. He added the vigil was meant to show Fontaine's family that people on the East Coast support them.
"We're asking the Canadian government to show some sort of justice," he said.
Tremblay said as the traditional grand chief it's his responsibility to show solidarity and support over concerns of injustice for Indigenous people.
"There needs to be some sort of justice reform."
The vigil included speeches along with traditional drumming and singing.
With files from Gary Moore