I grew up near the so-called “Highway of Tears,” a lonely highway in northern British Columbia, where dozens of Native women were picked up, murdered and their bodies never found. It was only when a young white backpacker was hitchhiking and went missing that they realized it was an epidemic. Now they think that multiple killers are the culprit. My aunt always warned me to never catch a ride on that highway, even if your car broke down. She knew then that the police were either involved or complicit so it wasn’t safe to flag them down either. It was similarly not safe to be a Native woman in Fort St. John where we lived, adjacent to the man camps of the oil field, when the camps would let out, men would flood to the bars and strip clubs preying on women. Even now when I go back to visit family I am careful to never step foot in a bar, my life and well being is dependent on it. Grateful for @heathermbruegl for asking the Mayor of Hudson and council to officially proclaim May 5th MMIW day of awareness. If you are in the area, please join us for this march and related events. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_of_Tears #mmip #mmiw