People in Thunder Bay, Ontario, came together on Sunday for the annual Full Moon Memory Walk to pay tribute to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) in the region. The event, initiated by Sharon Johnson, was in memory of her sister, Sandra Johnson, who tragically lost her life in Thunder Bay in 1992.
Sandra Johnson left her residence around midnight to visit a relative, but she was killed en route. Her body was discovered early on February 13, 1992, on the frosty Neebing-McIntyre floodway in the city’s east end. The investigation by Thunder Bay police into Sandra Johnson’s death remains ongoing.
Organizer Tracey McKinnon highlighted the importance of the event in providing a supportive environment for community members. McKinnon, who shared her own experience of being a missing person from 2012 to 2015, emphasized the significance of filing missing persons reports to offer hope to those in distress.
Among the speakers was Annabelle Kentner, the 17-year-old niece of Barbara Kentner, who tragically passed away in 2017 after being struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle. Brayden Bushby was convicted of manslaughter in 2021 in connection with Barbara Kentner’s death.
Annabelle Kentner, from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, stressed the empowerment of young Indigenous women through such gatherings to amplify their voices and assert their worth.
Jeanette Posine, the owner of the Bannock Lady restaurant, attended the walk in memory of her friend Deborah Anishinabie, who was killed in 2024. Posine emphasized the need for understanding Indigenous experiences and histories to foster empathy and support for affected communities.
Ardelle Sagutcheway, a youth worker in Thunder Bay, expressed concerns about the safety of young individuals in the city amidst the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. She advocated for increased efforts to address such incidents, citing the case of Mackenzie Moonias, a 14-year-old from Neskantaga First Nation.
Sagutcheway called for stronger support for Indigenous girls to nurture their aspirations and dreams, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for their growth and development.
Individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people are encouraged to reach out to the MMIWG Crisis Line at 1-844-413-6649 or contact the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. If in distress, immediate assistance can be obtained by calling 988.