Dozens turn out to honour teenager in candlelight vigil
Published Monday November 23rd, 2009
FREDERICTON - More than 100 people participated in a candlelight vigil for teenager Hilary Bonnell on Saturday night in Fredericton.
Remains of the 16-year-old girl from Esgenoopetitj First Nation, also known as Burnt Church, were discovered in a remote, wooded area near Tracadie-Sheila more than a week ago. Bonnell was last seen on the morning of Sept. 5.
Among those who attended Saturday's vigil were relatives, friends and neighbours of Bonnell and her family.
Also in attendance were people who never met the young girl but who were saddened when they heard about Bonnell's story.
The vigil was led by drummers Angee Acquin, Maggie Paul and Alma Brooks. The rest of the group followed quietly from the exhibition grounds in downtown Fredericton to city hall, holding candles and signs with pictures of Bonnell.
Eskinuopitijk First Nation band council member Curtis Bartibogue said there was potential for something good to come from the tragic situation.
"Hilary touched a lot of hearts across Canada," he said. "We know that her life was cut short, but there's a plan for everything and I think maybe her plan was to unite our people and make us stronger."
Bartibogue is also Bonnell's cousin. He said he's overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered their support and condolences to his family.
"It touches me to see how many people have shown their support," he said. "It's just too bad that we only come together like this in a crisis."
Carmen Gill, director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, said Bonnell's death is evidence that more has to be done to prevent violence against women - especially against aboriginal women.
"Aboriginal women report higher rates of violence than other women," Gill said. "The aboriginal and the non-aboriginal community and government need to work together to find solutions.
"We have failed as a society to prevent the death of a young woman. We need to learn from Hilary Bonnell's death."
Gill said that while some initiatives in the province have been positive, such as a dialogue forum in Fredericton in October about violence against aboriginal women, more action needs to be taken to make a difference.
Lisa Dupont, an organizer of the vigil, said she helped plan the event because she wanted to honour Bonnell's life, and because she's tired of seeing violence in society.
"We have a serious problem on our hands," she said. "People are tired of the violence."
Dupont said Bonnell's death is just one example of violence against women, and she believes many people are fed up.
"This is not just a one-time thing," Dupont said. "People are tired of being afraid for their children's lives. Violence has become an epidemic."
Bonnell's funeral took place Thursday.
A suspect in Bonnell's death is in RCMP custody. Police have yet to lay charges.
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