New street name added in Timmins to honour Indigenous mother’s memory
May 5 is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people.
To raise awareness about the significance of the day, a gathering of about 50 members of Fort Albany First Nation, Timmins officials and invited guests formed at the Vipond Road and Moneta Avenue intersection to honour the memory of Bernadette Sutherland.
Sutherland was the mother of 11 children who left an unhealthy domestic relationship in Fort Albany First Nation to find a better life for her and her children in Timmins.
But she was killed in 1986. It’s a harsh reality her children have endured, but now they seek closure.
“It brought so much, you know, so much trauma … we're still healing -- it's still ongoing,” said Virgina Sutherland, Bernadette’s daughter.
“In terms of closure, this is just the start of closure for myself anyway.”
The road naming is a gesture by the City of Timmins and officials said it will help highlight the history of missing and murdered Indigenous persons and spark more action to reduce the statistics.
“We need to gather and support and meeting face-to-face really goes a big step to that connection, to the storytelling and supporting each other because there are so many relations across this land and it's really, really beautiful to see this,” said Deputy Chief Terry Metatawbin of Fort Albany First Nation.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“You know, it's a reminder … for all levels of government to support, you know, continue to fund these initiatives because it's a long journey to healing … and my hope is with this initiative, for more initiatives to come,” Sutherland added.
Officials estimate Canada has 4,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit persons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.
DEVELOPING Trump prosecutor focuses on 'cover-up' in closing arguments while defence attacks key witness
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.