A British Columbia man is taking a powerful stand to raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous people.
On Monday, 35-year-old Ryan Dickson began his journey from Prince Rupert to Prince George, a distance of over 700 kilometers. He is walking in honor of the countless Indigenous individuals who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada.
Dickson, who is a member of the Gitxsan Nation, was inspired to take action after the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. He believes that this discovery is just the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more unmarked graves across the country.
His goal is to bring attention to the ongoing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people and to demand justice for those who have been lost. He also hopes to raise awareness about the ongoing impacts of colonialism and the need for reconciliation.
Dickson is walking approximately 30 kilometers each day and plans to reach Prince George by July 1st, which is Canada Day. He is documenting his journey on social media and has received an outpouring of support from people across the country.
In an interview with Global News, Dickson said, “I want to show that we are still here, we are still strong, and we are still fighting for our people.” He also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the past and working towards a better future for Indigenous communities.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, there are currently over 1,000 unresolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. This issue has been a longstanding concern for Indigenous communities and has gained more attention in recent years.
Dickson’s walk is a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and reconciliation is far from over. As he continues on his journey, he hopes to inspire others to take action and stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
His message is clear: we must never forget the lives that have been lost and we must continue to demand justice for those who have been taken.
