‘Blankets for Tina’ walk in Red Deer draws dozens
Roughly 50 people came out Sunday afternoon in a show of solidarity and support for the family of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old First Nations girl who was murdered and later found wrapped in plastic and a duvet cover in Winnipeg’s Red River in 2014.
The man charged in Fontaine’s death pleaded not guilty to second degree murder during his trial which began January 29 of this year. He was later found not guilty on February 22, sparking outrage amongst many across the country disappointed in the verdict.
The Red Deer event was hosted by Red Feather Women, a local organization dedicated to keeping Native American culture alive through panel speaking, contemporary music, speeches, story-telling and other means. It took place in the parking lot of the Sacred Heart Parish Church and along the 49 Avenue Bridge. City councillors Dianne Wyntjes, Ken Johnston, Tanya Handley, Vesna Higham and former councilor Lynne Mulder were among those in attendance.