It has been one year since my sister, Jennifer, went missing from her rural home in British Columbia. I have some things to say. Some of those things, I’ll say today.
To anyone following what has been going on: Alongside feelings of deep sadness, it has pained me every time that I have drawn public attention to my sister’s suspicious disappearance. I don’t think anyone wants to see the face, much less, to place the face, of someone that they love on missing person posters, billboards or websites. I don’t think anyone would want their own face on missing person posters, billboards or websites. The alternative — to keep this quiet and invisible — is not an option that I am willing to choose. Before my sister went missing, I had no idea that a woman or girl is killed, on average, every other day in Canada. These are mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters. These are friends and neighbours, community members and colleagues. It is shocking and sad. And when someone is missing, every day without answers is another day of harm.
To the people who have been standing up for Jennifer and for missing women in the community: I hope that every act of kindness and support that you have shown is returned to you one hundredfold. Your strength is my strength, your determination is my determination, and I am so thankful.
To those in the community who have been absent and silent in all of this: Your absence and silence speak volumes. It isn’t too late to change that. I hope nothing like this ever happens to you or someone that you love. All that I ask is for you to do what you would want others to do if your loved one went missing.
To the person(s) who can lead us to where Jennifer is: The only path to peace and forgiveness is to stop hiding the truth. You know this. You also know that the alternative is to be haunted by this every day of your life and that it will poison those around you, especially those closest to you. Choose peace. Choose the path to forgiveness. Choose the truth.
To my family, friends and colleagues, near and far, who have been there for me through this: You know who you are. Thank you for being who you are. I don’t know what I would have done without you. Thank you for being there.
To those that Jennifer loved:
Draw on that love, amplify it, bring it to every day of your life, bring it to the world around you.
And the essence of who you are that Jennifer loved most — let that shine through, let that shine a light.
a few words ... from Montréal 