By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

The 20th Annual Strawberry Ceremony for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans, and Two-Spirit people took place outside Toronto Police Headquarters on February 14th. A day of remembrance, resistance, and resilience, this year’s ceremony carried even greater significance as the first since the passing of Elder Wanda Whitebird, a guiding force behind the event. Her absence was deeply felt, yet her legacy endured in the voices and prayers of those gathered.

Hosted by Audrey Huntley of No More Silence, the ceremony brought together Elders, advocates, and families still seeking justice. Elder Whitebird’s daughter stood alongside Elder Joyce Carpenter, a mother still searching for her missing daughter. Students from Wandering Spirit School lent their voices in solidarity, ensuring that the next generation continues this fight.

The crisis persists. More than 4,000 Indigenous women, girls, trans, and Two-Spirit people are missing or murdered in Canada. Despite the National Inquiry’s recognition of this violence as genocide, only two of the 231 Calls to Justice have been fully implemented.

As the ceremony concluded with the Travelling Song, the message was clear—until justice is served, their names will not be forgotten.

RPTV reporters Thunder Cloud and Fred Alvarado stood among the crowd, capturing the voices, prayers, and unwavering calls for justice that echoed throughout the gathering.

In Regent Park, a neighbourhood shaped by resilience and advocacy, the message of the Strawberry Ceremony resonates deeply. Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are integral members of this community. Their safety, dignity, and justice matter to all of us.

RPTV remains committed to amplifying these critical stories—because awareness leads to action, and action leads to change.