Annual memorial walk scheduled for Monday

Sharon Johnson says the annual Valentines Day Memorial March has helped her to grieve the loss of her sister Sandra who went missing 19 years ago.

Sandra went missing on Feb. 13, 1992. Sunday marked the 19th anniversary of her disappearance and her case remains unsolved. Johnson said she heard about a memorial walk for unsolved cases involving murdered or missing Aboriginal women and decided to have one in Thunder Bay.

Johnson, as well as friends from work, started the march to help raise awareness and to remember those missing or murdered women. Johnson said she expected about 50 participants to walk in this year’s march and added the walk in September usually had a larger turn out.

"I’ve been approached by a lot of people that said the work that I am doing is a good thing and it is helping other people," Johnson said on Saturday. "I’m approached by a lot of women who tell me that it empowers them."

Johnson said she often wonders why these cases remain unsolved and hopes one day that there is an answer.

Participants will meet on the corner of Simpson Street and Victor Avenue at 11:30 a.m. and then the march will begin at noon Monday.