'Tree of Hope' honours missing/murdered Indigenous women

Members of the Barrie Police Service and local indigenous community gathered for a tree lighting ceremony Sunday afternoon to commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women.

It was the fourth year of lighting the ‘Tree of Hope’ outside the Barrie-Simcoe Emergency Services Campus to bring awareness to the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+) across Canada.

“When you look at the disproportionality of murdered, missing and indigenous women and girls, that disproportionality falls on the justice system to some degree,” said Rich Johnston chief of the Barrie Police Service. “As a public safety service, this is our commitment to do better.”

• Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device 
• Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox

The ‘Tree of Hope’ was distinctly decorated with red dresses to represent murdered and missing Indigenous women.

Petranella Brisco, Cultural Resource Coordinator of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC), estimates that one quarter of the Canadian Indigenous female population has been murdered or gone missing.

“The statistics state that there’s over 1,200 missing across Canada, but the Indigenous Women’s Group states that number is far greater and is [closer] to 4,000,” said Brisco. “Having the relationship with the police and helping them bring awareness to the Indigenous women that have gone missing is just as important. Being here lighting this tree helps bring that feeling into the community that they do see us, they do care.”

“I think it sends a strong message to the community of Barrie but also our Indigenous people that live within Barrie that we are here to represent all of our community. We are a public safety service, we are here to help,” added Chief Johnston. “If you see the ‘Tree of Hope,’ the idea is it’s a beacon of hope that you can come in and tell us what’s needed.”

When asked about the ongoing search for Autumn Shaganash, Chief Johnston stated that a search recently took place at Sunnidale Park, and that police are still appealing to the public for information regarding her whereabouts.

“Our members are working tirelessly and are following up on all the leads trying to find her,” stated Chief Johnston. “If you have any information whatsoever please contact the Barrie Police Service. We don’t want another red dress on that tree.”