Barrie community puts spotlight on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with ceremony

A sombre day in Barrie honours missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people, raising awareness and reflection on Monday.

A sombre day of reflection and awareness in Barrie aimed to bring to light the stories of hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people on Monday, as communities coast to coast marked the 15th annual Red Dress Day.

The National Day of Remembrance honours those who never made it home, as well as survivors of abuse and assault.

Around 50 people took part in a day-long ceremony at Meridian Place on Monday in Barrie, where stories of survival and loved ones lost along the way were shared.

“It’s something that is still happening today,” said Petranella Brisco of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre. “You see that with Juanita’s story, Autumn’s (Shaganash) story, Jayden’s story, all these girls that have gone missing or have been murdered, it’s happening right in our backyards.”

According to the federal government, more than six in ten Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.

Across the nation, a woman or girl is killed every 48 hours. Of that, roughly one in five are Indigenous.

“We want women to feel safe, to be able to walk along the street,” said Michael Culver, of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre. “There are safe men out there that care.”

Speakers for the event included the family of Autumn Shaganash, who went missing in the summer of 2023 in Barrie.

Shaganash’s family declined an interview with CTV News on Monday.

Last summer, investigators believed there was a credible sighting of Shaganash in North Bay, however, that turned out to be false.

As things stand, her trail remains cold.

“We want the public not to think that anywhere is too far or too close,” said Jennett Mays of the Barrie Police Service. “Any piece of information could be that final piece of the puzzle that could help us determine Autumn’s whereabouts.”

Police say a $50,000 reward still stands for information leading to her discovery.