COLD LAKE – On Friday, a portion of Millenium Trail was lined with red dresses, while the families and friends of loved ones who are missing or have been killed, gathered with photos.
Red Dress Day, May 5, is a day to remember and raise awareness of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Events took place throughout the day on Friday, beginning with speakers and performances held at Hotel Dene, followed by a MMIWG photo memorial and red dress display.
The MMIW RED photo series by Susie O’Connor was also on display at the Lakeland Inn. The series features many individuals across the Lakeland, each with their own connection to MMIW.
Remembering Faith Jackson
Taking part in the MMIWG Photo Memorial, Amy Desjarlais and her cousin Kady Desjarlais sit on a circular mat next to two photographs.
The image of Faith Alexandra Jackson is on one sign and the other displays a picture of Rose Berland.
Faith died after being struck by a vehicle crossing a street in Edmonton in October of 2012.
“She was struck by a drunk driver and the driver fled the scene,” said Amy, recounting the incident that took her cousin’s life.
The 2012 Dodge Charger involved in the hit and run was later found abandoned, but police were able to trace it back to the man who had been driving the car the night of the incident.
Ken Didechko, who was 36 years old at the time of his sentencing, was convicted of failing to remain at the scene of an accident where death ensued, and attempted obstruction of justice. However, Didechko would be acquitted of dangerous driving causing death, as neither excessive speed nor impairment could be proven.
It would be four years before the case reached a conclusion, with Didechko receiving a 30-month prison sentence.
The family, especially Faith’s mother, remains in anguish, Amy said. Faith left behind a one-year-old son at the time of her death.
Marking 35 years without Rose
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Rose Berland’s death. Rose went missing in March 1988 and would be found about four months later near a campsite at Cold Lake Provincial Park.
Rose is the paternal grandmother of both Amy and Kady’s children. However, the 26-year-old mother of four was killed decades before any of her grandchildren would be born.
Kady said her partner and the father of her children, Rose’s youngest son, was just a newborn when his mother died.
“She was raped and murdered – she was just left for dead,” said Amy, adding that Rose’s death has had a significant impact on her children who were left without a mother.
"Their dad was really heartbroken over it, and he really struggled because of it,” said Amy.
Considering the impact Rose’s death has had on her own children, Amy said, “It's hard for my kids too because they would have loved having their grandmother around and knowing her. But I let them know what happened with everything. I let them know as truthfully as I can.”
To date, no one has been convicted of Rose’s death. Although an RCMP investigation would eventually result in two men being charged with sexual assault in relation to the case. An autopsy was unable to determine a cause of death.
Amy added that the importance of recognizing Red Dress Day and MMIWG is to teach their kids to be safe, but also to protect the next generation of Indigenous youth.
RELATED STORY: Gallery: Witnessing the MMIWG of the Lakeland along Millenium Trail
