Thunder BayPeople gathered in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Sunday for the annual Full Moon Memory Walk to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) in the community. Here’s what those involved say the event means to them, as they call for more support for people at risk.Sharon Johnson created event after sister Sandra Johnson was killed in 1992The Full Moon Memory Walk honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. (Michelle Allan/CBC)People gathered in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Sunday for the annual Full Moon Memory Walk to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) in the community.The walk was created by Sharon Johnson, whose sister Sandra Johnson was killed in Thunder Bay in 1992.Sandra Johnson left her apartment around midnight to visit a cousin, but somewhere between her home and her destination, she was murdered. Her body was found in the early morning hours of Feb. 13, 1992, on the icy surface of the Neebing-McIntyre floodway in the city’s east end.The Thunder Bay police investigation into Sandra Johnson’s death remains open.Tracy McKinnon says taking the time to file a missing persons report ‘gives them hope, whatever space they happen to be in … that there’s someone out there who does care, who does love you, who will search for you.’ (Michelle Allan/CBC)Walk organizer Tracey McKinnon said the event provides a space for community members to support each other.”I myself was a missing person from 2012 to 2015, I believe it was. I didn’t know I was missing. I didn’t know people were looking for me. I didn’t know I had people that love me. I realize that now,” said McKinnon.According to McKinnon, taking the time to file a missing persons report “gives them hope, whatever space they happen to be in … that there’s someone out there who does care, who does love you, who will search for you.”One of the speakers was Annabelle Kentner, the 17-year-old niece of Barbara Kentner, who died in 2017 after she was struck by a trailer hitch that was thrown at her from a moving vehicle.Brayden Bushby was convicted of manslaughter in 2021 in connection with Barbara Kentner’s death.”Through these gatherings, we show young Indigenous women that we have a voice, we will speak it loudly and we will never be told we don’t matter,” said Annabelle Kentner, who is from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.The 2025 Full Moon Memory Walk took place in Thunder Bay on Sunday. (Michelle Allan/CBC)Jeanette Posine, who owns the Bannock Lady restaurant, said she came to the walk in memory of her friend Deborah Anishinabie, who was killed in 2024. She said Anishinabie worked in her store and was a family friend. “We never slept for days until they found her and then we found out that she had been murdered,” Posine said. “I still go through those emotions every day.”I think that those people that aren’t suffering what we go through on a daily basis should educate themselves on what being an Indigenous person is and where they come from, and then they would understand.”LISTEN | Jeannette Posine and Tracey McKinnon talk about Full Moon Memory Walk Superior MorningJeannette Posine/Tracy McKinnon: Full Moon Memory WalkThe 2025 Full Moon Memory Walk took place this past weekend.The event honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.Hear from some participants and organizers.Ardelle Sagutcheway, who works with youth in Thunder Bay, said she worries about young people navigating the city, given the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and young girls.Calling for more to be done to help reduce the number of incidents, Sagutcheway spoke about Mackenzie Moonias, a 14-year-old from Neskantaga First Nation, who was found dead after being reported missing in December 2023.”She had hopes and she had dreams, and she wanted to be a jingle dress dancer,” Sagutcheway said.”I remember I talked to her a couple of times. I think we just need to be able to demand support for [Indigenous girls] and step up for them for sure, and I don’t see a whole lot of that.”I would love to see more of that, where we just create that space for them to be able to have those hopes and dreams,” added Sagutcheway.Individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Kids can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. If you are struggling right now, you can call 988.ABOUT THE AUTHORDesmond Brown is a GTA-based writer and editor who covers stories for various CBC bureaus in Ontario. He previously worked with news organizations including Caribbean Media Corporation, The Associated Press and Inter Press Service.LinkedInTwitter: @Desmond_Loren
Full Moon Memory Walk honours Indigenous women, girls lost to violence in Thunder Bay
