We are Hope. We are Strength.

In partnership with members of the Highway of Tears Governing Body, Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) created and unveiled four new billboards along the Highway of Tears in August 2022, which were visible until October 2024. The partnership aimed to address Recommendation #9 from the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium Recommendations Report, which calls for the creation of billboards to bring greater awareness to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls along Highway 16.

Located between Prince George and Smithers, the billboards featured images and messaging of hope and strength to highlight the value of Indigenous people in northern BC and encourage viewers to reflect on what we all can do to make Highway 16 and the communities surrounding it a safer place.

The billboards are part of a larger series of Hope & Strength projects that includes the construction of two commemorative artistic pillars at each end of the Highway of Tears. To read more about the pillars project, please visit our Pillars of Hope & Strength page.

“We hope these billboards act as a visual reminder to travelers to be part of keeping Highway 16 safe for everyone. It is time to move forward with Hope and Strength and to honour our loved ones by making Highway 16 safe again.” – Mary Teegee, CSFS Chief Administrative Officer

“While these billboards serve as a reminder of our loved ones who went missing – we must do more to stop these violent acts committed against our people and people from all backgrounds. We must collectively take part in ensuring a commitment to building a safer space for all of humanity.” – Corrina Leween, former CSFS Board President and Cheslatta Carrier Nation Chief

Sponsorship

CSFS is now leading an ongoing extension of this project by working with Indigenous communities in northern BC to create a second series of Hope & Strength Billboards. More support and sponsors are still needed for this project.

To become a project sponsor or to get involved, please email us at mmiwg@csfs.org.

Media

All media inquiries can be directed to Andrea Palmer, CSFS Director of Communications at apalmer@csfs.org.