No One Is Forgotten
by Broden Halcrow-Ducharme
When someone goes missing, families wait for answers that are often slow to come. They make calls, post photos, and walk through uncertainty with hope that never fades. Behind every search is love, love that continues even when silence tries to take its place.
For many Indigenous families, the search for a loved one is not just about finding someone. It is about being heard and seen. It is about making sure their stories, their laughter, and their lives are not forgotten.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls calls this part of human security, the right to live safely, to be treated with care, and to be protected when something goes wrong. The Inquiry found that many Indigenous families experience deep frustration and loss of trust when their loved ones’ disappearances are not taken seriously or handled with the urgency they deserve. This is not only a failure of systems, but a loss felt by entire communities.
For families, remembering means carrying both grief and strength. It means continuing to speak their loved one’s name, sharing their stories, and building awareness so others understand what has been lost and what must change.
Across the country, communities have shown what care looks like in action. Families organize searches and awareness walks. Friends and neighbours share information and offer support. Advocates work tirelessly to keep names and stories in the public eye. These acts of love and persistence remind us that no one is ever truly forgotten.
Real change begins with listening. It grows when families are part of the process, when police and community members work together with respect, and when every case is treated with the same care and attention. It means acknowledging that safety is more than an investigation, it is about trust, understanding, and belonging.
To remember is an act of love. To listen is an act of healing. When we remember those who are missing, we honour their lives and strengthen the connection between all of us.
No one should ever disappear without someone looking for them. No one should be left without answers. No one is forgotten.
Based on findings from Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019) and related works on Indigenous community care and human security.
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