A monument named the Pillar of Hope was revealed at Cottonwood Island Park in Prince George, Northern British Columbia, to honor Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered along the Highway of Tears. The monument pays tribute to the tragic history of disappearances and killings of Indigenous women and girls spanning 720 kilometers from Prince George to Prince Rupert since the 1960s.
Mary Teegee, the chief administrative officer of Carrier Sekani Family Services leading the project, described the unveiling as a bittersweet moment aimed at providing solace and peace to grieving families. During the emotional ceremony, families and supporters encircled the pillar, reciting the names of their lost ones to the beat of a drum.
Brenda Wilson-John, whose sister Ramona was tragically murdered in Smithers in 1994, emphasized the significance of the monument in the healing process for affected families. The Pillar of Hope, crafted by local artist Clayton Gauthier, was introduced on the conclusion of the 20th-anniversary Highway of Tears Symposium, which aimed to address the safety concerns and challenges faced by communities along Highway 16.
The symposium also sought to revisit the safety recommendations proposed two decades ago and highlight the ongoing issues of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Teegee emphasized the need for continued vigilance and societal awareness regarding this critical issue. The Pillar of Hope, comprising four cedar panels symbolizing different seasons and incorporating diverse Indigenous cultures, now stands as a beacon of awareness and remembrance for both the victims’ families and the wider community.
Carrier Sekani Family Services plans to erect a similar monument in Prince Rupert, named the Pillar of Strength, linking both ends of the Highway of Tears. The unveiling of the Pillar of Strength in Prince Rupert is currently in the planning stages.