Pillars of Hope & Strength
More than 40 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered along the Highway of Tears. They were daughters, sisters, aunties, nieces, friends, and loved ones.
The disappearances and murders along Highway 16 have continued for decades. There is still a fundamental need to raise awareness about this issue and commemorate the victims, as well as to prevent future violence against Indigenous women and girls.
Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) is collaborating with MMIWG family members to create and install two artistic pillars, the Pillars of Hope and Strength, to commemorate the women and girls who have been lost along the Highway of Tears and honour the families who continue to carry their lost loved ones’ memories and advocate for justice.
Once completed, the Pillars of Hope and Strength will serve as important awareness markers and peaceful places of remembrance and reflection where families can gather, rest, heal, and honour their loved ones. The two Pillars will stand at each end of the Highway of Tears, with the Pillar of Hope located in Prince George and the Pillar of Strength located in Prince Rupert.
The Pillar of Hope
In April 2026, the Pillar of Hope was unveiled at Cottonwood Island Park in Prince George, BC alongside MMIWG family members and loved ones, Elders, community leaders, and supporters. During the unveiling ceremony, family members and loved ones formed a circle around the monument and read the names of the women and girls whose lives have been lost to the Highway of Tears, each followed by a drumbeat.
The Pillar of Hope is made up of four cedal panels that feature artwork designed by Clayton Gauthier, a Dakelh artist from the Nak’azdli Whut’en Nation. The Pillar’s location was chosen together with members of the Highway of Tears Governing Body, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, and the City of Prince George.
The Pillar of Hope now stands as a lasting symbol of remembrance, resilience, and healing.
“My heart is bursting with joy today. I am so happy to see this project come to light and the many other important initiatives underway to ensure the murdered and missing women, like my sister Ramona, are never forgotten.” – MMIWG family member Brenda Wilson at the Pillar of Hope’s unveiling on April 10, 2026
The Pillar of Strength
CSFS is now collaborating with the Tears to Hope Society to build the Pillar of Strength in downtown Prince Rupert.
Lax Kw’alaams has generously donated the land for the Pillar and is working with us to complete the project.
We are working to hire a local Ts’msyen artist to develop the vision and artwork for this Pillar, as well as to engage in cultural consultation with the Ts’msyen Nations to ensure that this project is completed in a respectful manner that honours their protocols.
We are planning to have an unveiling ceremony sometime in the spring of 2027. Please stay tuned for more details.
Partners & Funding
We extend our sincere gratitude to our current funders and partners whose generous support has helped to make initiatives such as the Pillars of Hope & Strength possible. We respectfully acknowledge the contributions of the following funders:
– Heritage Canada
– BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
– First Peoples’ Cultural Council
– CN Rail, Indigenous Relations
– Trigon BC, Prince Rupert
– Northern Savings Credit Union, Prince Rupert
– Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
– City of Prince George
– City of Prince Rupert
Their commitment to supporting remembrance, healing, and community-driven initiatives has played an important role in honouring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and advancing reconciliation efforts throughout our communities.
Donate
We are still seeking funding to complete the Pillar of Strength in Prince Rupert.
To support this project, please contact us at mmiwg@csfs.org.
Media
All media inquiries can be directed to Andrea Palmer, CSFS Director of Communications at apalmer@csfs.org.
