Pauline Okemow lost her sister in 1989 and found little by way of answers at the time. She hopes a national inquiry will bring her family

By EFN Staff

FSIN and families welcome launch of National Inquiry

Aug 3, 2016 | 8:00 AM

Marsha Okemow was only 16 years old in 1989 when she was murdered at a house
party in Prince Albert. Taken from the family at age 3 because their mother
couldn’t speak English, Marsha survived the foster system, but the free
spirited and trusting teen found her demise at the hands of a 19 year old
Indigenous female who stabbed her nine times front and back.

After the murder, the family had difficulty getting information from the
police and the coroner.

“Our family had no voice then,” said Pauline Okemow who wants justice
for her little sister. She spoke at a press conference hosted by the Federation
of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) after the announcement of the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. “We
need justice, closure and healing.”

See also:

The FSIN also welcomed the Commissioners and are optimistic of the
process but did have a few reservations about the terms of reference.

Vice Chief Heather Bear and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls spoke earlier today at the FSIN headquarters.

“We urge the Government of Saskatchewan to be comprehensive in the
Order-in-Council authorizing the Inquiry to examine all provincial institutions
including policing, the child welfare system, the coroner’s office, and adult
and youth correctional facilities,” said Vice Chief Heather Bear. “We are
pleased with the inclusiveness of the Commissioners named, their ability to
travel to hear the voices and insights of families and stakeholders, and the
examination of social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes
of violence.”

Carol Wolfe also attended the press conference and spoke through a
translator of her daughters Karina’s story.

Karina was missing for five and a
half years and was eventually found out by the Saskatoon airport

.

“When she was
missing we looked, we marched, we discussed and we met. When we found her
remains she would have been 26. I loved my daughter so much. I went to the spot
where they found her and cried. We need to stop violence against women. I know
this needs to happen.”

Vice Chief Bear holds the
portfolio for missing women and girls and despite the Inquiry, she still has
concerns about safety in the community. “It is my hope and prayer that by doing
this we can bring it to an end. The root causes are the residential schools and
the oppression of colonialism. This has affected our families,” said Vice Chief
Bear. “We hope the Inquiry brings concrete recommendations and that they listen
to the families and our elders. Those are the experts.”

FSIN and families welcome launch of National Inquiry

What's Trending