Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

The disappearance of Lisa Marie Young in 2002 is as well known to Vancouver Island residents as it is tragic and unsolved. A new book, co-authored by Norah Caldwell and Carolann Bosma, seeks to shine more light on this mystery - a case that highlights the systemic failures of the RCMP and the justice system in Canada.

Where Is Lisa Marie Young?: The Disappearance of an Indigenous Woman and Her Family's Fight to Bring Her Home comes out on November 3rd.

Twenty-four years after her disappearance, the pain has not diminished for the family of Lisa Marie Young – although the continued showing of support from the Nanaimo community has sustained a hope that her loved ones will one day get answers.

The 21-year-old woman has been missing since the early hours of June 30, 2002, when she was out celebrating with friends in Nanaimo. What was once a missing person case is now considered by police to be a homicide investigation, as no signs have surfaced of Young’s whereabouts.

A new report is raising concerns that progress made towards addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+) could be at risk as federal funding commitments begin to expire.

Scores of people dressed in red marched through downtown Nanaimo late Tuesday afternoon to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people during the city’s fourth annual MMIWG2S+ walk and gathering.

The May 5 march took place on the traditional territory of Snuneymuxw First Nation and brought together Indigenous families, community advocates and supporters carrying drums, signs, banners, and photographs of loved ones.

Hundreds dressed in red gathered in downtown Victoria on Feb. 14 to participate in the 17th annual Stolen Sisters Memorial March to honour missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. 

The W̱SÁNEĆ Wolf Pack led the march from Centennial Square through Government Street towards the legislature. The march formed a large circle at each intersection along Government Street for song and dance performed by the Wolf Pack, each a tribute to the disproportionate number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). 

Tla-o-qui-aht released 20 Calls To Action for the RCMP, BC Corrections and the Independent Investigation Office (IIO) on May 9 after a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and Children Walk that weaved through all three of the First Nation’s communities, starting in the ancient village site of Opitsaht and ending in Esowista and Ty-Histanis. 

They were mothers, sisters, aunties, friends and they were taken too soon, but they are not forgotten. May 5th is Red Dress Day, a day to raise national awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). It is a day to honor the memory of those lost, acknowledge the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women, and call for justice and healing.

Over a hundred walked through the streets of Nanaimo on Feb. 14 in recognition of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people – one of many such marches that took place over the weekend with hopes of ending a national crisis.

Organized by the Vancouver Island University Student Union, the MMIWG march in Nanaimo was one of many held across Canada on Feb. 14. An estimated 250 people participated in the walk in Nanaimo, according to Leah Vaisanen, VIU's Indigenous Students' Representative. 

During the third annual Red Dress roundtable in Ottawa at the end of January 2025, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, appointed Jennifer Richardson as Canada’s new chief advisor to combat human trafficking. 

Richardson, who is herself a survivor of human trafficking, says she “uniquely understands the barriers and challenges that victims face” and that she will work towards making support and services more accessible.

As the new year brings hope that some clues could surface in 2025 about the disappearance of Lisa Marie Young, information has come to light about the whereabouts of the last person seen with her over 22 years ago.

Christopher William Adair has lived in Turkey for the last several years, residing in Fethiye, a seaside tourist location since 2017. While on the Turkish Riviera Adair has run a consulting company specializing in immigration and residency matters. Adair also spends time in the Philippines, as was reported on Dec. 30 from the newspaper Türkiye Today.