'Not one more,' marchers declare in march to honour missing women

Driven by the memory of 16 aboriginal women in Saskatchewan whose disappearances may be linked to violence, about 50 marchers walked through the streets of Saskatoon on Sunday, some carrying signs reading, "Not one more."

Pauline Muskego's daughter Daleen Bosse-Muskego was missing for four years before her body was found outside Saskatoon.

She told CBC News she was participating in the march and vigil to raise awareness. "Even if it helps one person, that's good," she said.

In August, police reported that the remains of Bosse-Muskego were located near Warman, Sask.

A 30-year-old man from Whitefox, Douglas Hales, was charged with murder and performing an indignity to a human body.

Similar marches to honour missing and murdered women were held in more than 35 communities in eight provinces.  Saturday's march, known as the Saskatoon Sisters in Spirit Vigil Walk and Forum, was organized by a group in support of families of missing aboriginal women.

Saskatchewan Senator Lillian Dyck, who participated in the Saskatoon event, recalled to CBC News how the marchers came together.

"This is a community group which arose from concerns that aboriginal women were continuing [to disappear] and were still being murdered at a rate greater than other women," Dyck said.

After the walk, people met to talk about the issue and how some sensed there was a growing awareness about violence against aboriginal women.

Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill told the group that there have been improvements in how authorities handle missing persons cases.

Patricia Monture, a sociology professor at the University of Saskatchewan, expressed doubt that there had been any progress on the problem.

"One could conclude that we've made great progress. I don't share that view," Monture told CBC News.