For Mission’s Vera Peters, grieving with others can be helpful.
When Peters was only 12, her mother Rose Paul was murdered by her boyfriend in a case of domestic violence. She still feels the impact almost a decade later.
“[My mother] didn't even get to watch me go through the transition to adulthood or college – and now I have two babies. I have a two year old and an eight month old. They're both girls and she didn't get to meet either of them. So it's been really hard being a mom while I don't have one anymore,” Peters said.
“My daughter – my older one – she always talks about her grandma Rose, saying she's on the moon. And it's really hard seeing it because I grew up with grandparents all around us, [and] she doesn't even have one grandma in her life.”
In memory of her mother, Peters helped to organize an annual Candlelight Vigil in Mission to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people.
She hopes the event raises awareness for the centuries-old issue.
“There was a time when I was even too scared to leave my house because I was had so much anxiety about just leaving – worried that my babies are gonna have to grow up without a mom if anything were to happen to me. And it's just so scary being an Indigenous woman, knowing you're basically walking around it's a target on your back,” Peter said.
The vigil will take place at Fraser River Heritage Park on Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chilli and bannock (with a vegetarian option) will be provided to those in attendance.
After food is served, the eight speakers will be introduced and candles will be lit. The vigil will also include songs, stories and hanging posters for lost and stolen loved ones.
Tim Gray from Sq'éwlets First Nation will be the featured speaker at the vigil, with Dan Williams, Patrick Kelly, Garret Dan, Lyn Kay, Sarah Gray, Phyllis Starblanket and Peggy Peters also set to speak.
“These are all family of a passed victim of domestic violence,” Peters said.
The vigil, organized by Peters and Danya Druckery, is now in its sixth year.
It previously received support from Mission Public School District and the Mission Friendship Centre, and received donations this year from Shx:wōw’hamel First Nation and First Nation Health Authority.
Attendees can also make donations at the vigil to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.