Janine Morin walks with a photo of her sister Ashley during the 6th annual walk to bring the younger Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Ashley Walk

Morin family walk with supporters and loved ones in continued efforts to find Ashley

Jul 11, 2024 | 10:00 AM

Amid the drumming and singing that was leading family and friends on their walk in the July heat, a growing voice rose above the rhythmic beat from within the crowd.

A chant repeated a simple prayer: “Bring Ash home.”

For big sister Janine Morin, it was powerful.

“Just to hear the chant coming from everybody, it was – I was overwhelmed with emotion,” she said, adding it brought tears.

“They were tears of healing.”

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Adrienne Lennie sits with Janine Morin during the 6th annual walk to bring Ashley Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

This July 10 marked six years since Ashley Morin, a member of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, was last seen and her family is still looking for answers. Janine said regardless of how it ends and in what form it comes, they just want their loved one back.

“If you know something, say something. Break the silence,” she said.

“Do it anonymously if you have to.”

Among some of the supporters who came out to participate in the walk was Brian Gallagher and his family.

“The biggest part of it is raising (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2 Spirit),” he said.

Cora Cuthand was best friends with Ashley Morin and was there to support the family during the 6th annual walk to bring Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

“There are so many families like the Morin family and like our family, the numbers and the statistics for missing and murdered Indigenous people are, quite frankly in Saskatchewan, they’re embarrassing. This is Ground Zero.”

Gallagher, whose daughter Megan was killed in 2020, said he has hope for what may happen in the future and noted anytime people can come together and work to raise awareness, that’s where answers will be found.

“There’s a magical thing when people are walking,” he said.

Family and friends took turns hugging Ashley Morin’s father Lyndon Bird and mom Diane Morin during the 6th annual walk to bring Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

“They start talking to each other and when they start talking to each other, they start building community.”

For Adrienne Lennie, it was emotional as she and her family offered support and love to Morin’s.

“I know with Janine, you know, sometimes she feels helpless, and we need to – as friends, family, as a community, help them and give them strength when they feel weak,” she said.

The walking route began at the Gold Eagle Casino before arriving at the North Battleford Public Library. It was the first time the walk was centred specifically in the community where the 31-year-old went missing. As people arrived in the park beside the library, Morin’s older sister addressed the crowd.

“For my family it is every day and we wait, we hurt and we ask for answers,” she said.

Walkers begin their journey during the 6th annual walk to bring Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

“As we walk together, gather together, this is what will bring change. As we walk and raise our voices, we will bring change.”

Janine explained that the day marked 2,192 days since her sister was last seen and they wouldn’t give up the search.

“All my family wants, all I want is to see your beautiful face,” Janine said to the one her family calls a missing piece.

Signs lay in the centre of the circle during the 6th annual walk to bring Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

Joining the list of guest speakers made up of family, friends and stakeholders was Aly Bear, third vice chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations FSIN. In her remarks, she said every step taken during the annual walk was prayer and ceremony.

“That goes to…Creator and he hears you, but we just need the people here to hear you. We need the people that are here on this earth right now to hear you – to hear your voices,” she said.

“Somebody knows something, and we know that in all these situations, in all these cases that somebody knows something,” said Bear.

As the third vice chief spoke, she addressed the challenges loved ones are facing and said people must continue to put pressure on the justice system as she was told by the RCMP, the cases are solvable.

Aly Bear, third vice chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations speaks during the 6th annual walk to bring Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

“We need to make sure that they’re doing their job properly so that they can solve these cases,” she said.

“We need people to come forward, as it says: Break the silence. Silence is violence. Step forward.”

RCMP Inspector Jesse Gilbert said he recognized not only the tragedy that brought people out to the walk but also the “courage and strength and determination” to keep raising awareness.

“That’s exactly what is needed to keep these in the forefront, to keep them in the public’s memory,” said.

A young child had yet to gather with the others for a group photo during the 6th annual walk to bring Ashley Morin home. (Julia Lovett-Squired/battlefordsNOW)

Meanwhile, as the day brought loved ones, multiple MMIP families and supporters together, what became clear was that it became more than a community. It was family. The event came to a close the way it began – with drumming and singing. It’s a sound that makes Janine feel at ease.

“It gives you a little comfort in your heart to know that they’re singing for you, they’re singing for everybody, they’re singing for prayers of healing, comfort, everything, you know that touches you,” she said.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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