Teens road trip to Yellowknife to hear MMIWG testimonies

It wasn't atypical teenage road trip.

On Wednesday, four girls hopped into their school counsellor's vehicle. They travelled fromFort Providence, N.W.T., to Yellowknife to attend the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

For Beverly Hope, it was important forAmber Gargan, Shanita Landry, Kate Brule and Bailey Garganto hear the stories in person.

"We have an opportunity to show them the reality and for them to hear testimony from their own people," she said.

I see women with bruises ... Idon't like those marks on them.- Amber Gargan

"It makes it real. It's not just something that's happening down south, like this happens in our community."

Hope said the experience mighthelp the girls make positive choices and know what to do if they are ever in danger.

Girls want to bring joy back to community

In testimonies at the inquiry, some addressed people whoturn a blind eye to violence against Indigenous women and girls.

On Thursday, the girls said they've witnessed violence in their own community.

"I see women with bruises and that makes me feel bad, like Idon't like those marks on them,"Gargansaid, adding she's also seen people who won't help others.

"They would just let it be and probably just walk away," she said.

"Aren't you supposed to help people from your culture?"

Brule said that for some,"it's just a normal thing" to witness.

The girls said they have talked about what to do if they see something.

"We shouldn't just walk away. We should just tell that person to stop doing that because probably that person you're abusing doesn't want to be hurt," Gargan said.

Theysaid theywant to bring "joy and gather together as a community" when they go back to Fort Providence.

"To inspire people, and more people, to open up or to take a stand for those women who are being abusedor being hurt," Brule said.

'I have overcome,' Hope says

Hope said the opportunity to hear stories of how people have overcome trauma is more powerful than education what can come from a book.

Hope shared stories about her own life to help them understand on the three and a half hourtrip.

Her life hasn't always been "rose petals," said Hope.

"I've been through violence. I have lived through sexual abuse."

"We have a lot of strongDenewomen who can teach us as well as these young ladies can teach them."- Beverly Hope

"I have overcome addictions and obstacles in my life with hard work with education and with a constant presence to be willing to change."

Hope said that if the girls wanted, she would facilitate a meeting group back in Fort Providence for them and other women inthe community.

"We have a lot of strong Dene women who can teach us as well as these young ladies can teach them."

On the way to Yellowknife, Hope saidthe group also talked about stereotypes Indigenous women face.

"Lots of times we're viewed as drunks and alcoholics and drugs addicts," she said.

Hope asked the girls what those meant to them.

"They are not going to fall into that stereotype. They are not going to be unaware."

More from MMIWG Yellowknife:

• Day 3:
  • What happened to Stella Cardinal?
  • Day 3: Last day of MMIWG national inquiry hearings in Yellowknife
• Day 2:
  • Sister remembers 'strong girl' slain by husband on day 2 of MMIWG inquiry
  • Day 2: MMIWG national inquiry hearings continue in Yellowknife
• Day 1:
  • Angela Meyer's family remembers 'a very loving girl' at MMIWG Yellowknife hearings
  • Day 1: MMIWG national inquiry hearings begin in Yellowknife
• Stories:
  • 'Maybe this would have never happened,' saysGameti, N.W.T., family
  • 'My mother didn't die for nothing,' says Inuvik woman ahead of Yellowknife MMIWG inquiry
  • Nearly 4 years on, a grieving mother prepares to tell her story again
• Opening ceremonies:
  • Lighting of ceremonial qulliq marks opening of MMIWG inquiry in Yellowknife