Highway of Tears 20th Anniversary Symposium

For decades, the Highway of Tears – Highway 16 in British Columbia – has been the site where numerous Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or have been murdered. The 2006 symposium was held to raise public awareness and create a call for action. The 2006 symposium produced 33 recommendations grouped under four key themes:

• Victim Prevention

• Community Development and Support

• Emergency Planning and Team Response

• Victim Family Counselling and Support

The commemorative events taking place are:

• Awareness Walk: April 7, 2026

• Symposium: April 7–9, 2026

• Pillar Unveiling Ceremony to honor our lost loved ones: April 10, 2026

Your presence and participation would be greatly valued and will help strengthen collaboration across communities in response to MMIWG2S+ and community safety along Highway 16.

Info: Join us for a collective act of remembrance and solidarity by embarking on the awareness walk. We will begin the walk at the Red Dress monument, located at Highway 16 and Ferry Avenue by 9AM on April 7th, 2026 and end the walk at the Prince George Civic Centre.

Info: The session includes a keynote presentation that provides a timeline and an overview of how things have progressed to this point. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided for all guests and participants. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the history of MMIWG and violence against women, and a session focused on the National Inquiry on MMIWG.

Info: Breakfast and lunch will be available at intervals. This session promises to be insightful and engaging through presentations, panel discussions, and progress reports. Discussions include Calls to Action presentations that share both federal and provincial perspectives. A moderated panel discussion of families and professionals will explore what worked, what didn’t, and the challenges of advancing the issue. The day will conclude with a presentation of a research report on Indigenous women and girls creating systemic change, followed by a Q&A session.

Info: All participants and guests will gather for breakfast and lunch at intervals. This session will explore multiple perspectives and forward-looking discussions to bring change. It involves remarks from provincial and federal representatives, how corporations can support the Calls to Justice, youth-led discussions, and breakout sessions designed to identify gaps and changes that communities want to see.

Info: As we wrap up the symposium, we will gather for the pillar unveiling, with words shared by leadership, artists, family members, and supporters who helped make this moment possible. After the ceremony, we will gather to share a meal and appreciate all participants at the luncheon, taking place at the Prince George Civic Centre.

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Host or Publisher Carrier Sekani Family Services