Syilx leadership closely watching RCMP investigation where woman's remains found on B.C. farm

The chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation are watching closely the ongoing investigation on a farm at Salmon River Rd in the North Okanagan where the remains of a missing teen have been found.

The chiefs say they are deeply concerned with the recent developments given the current status of missing, murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

There are five women that have gone missing from the North Okanagan in the past two years. The remains found on the farm near Salmon Arm, B.C. are those of one of those women, 18-year-old Traci Genereaux. Police believe she has been missing since May 29. RCMP have increased the resources at the massive farm to widen the investigation.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the families who are awaiting further information stemming from this investigation,” said Chief Byron Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band.

The Salmon River Road investigation could be potentially the latest development in the on-going MMIWG issue affecting Canada, reads a press statement from Syilx Okanagan Nation. Sources have concluded the number of MMIWG victims could be as high as 4,000.

While it is yet to be determined whether the current investigation is MMIWG-related, Syilx Okanagan leadership are calling for more attention to be paid to the issue of violence against women and girls.

Everyone has an active role in addressing the issue of missing and murdered women, said Louis.

“We must all speak out against those who physically, verbally, mentally and spiritually abuse women and girls. We, as men, must take full responsibility of the fact that much of these types of abuse are perpetuated by men.”

“It is the sacred duty of all Canadians to vigorously oppose any and all forms of the demeaning, humiliating, and too often, brutally tragic manifestations of violence against women and girls,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, chair of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.