Dozens rally in support of Indigenous mother found dead in Fort McMurray

Dozens of friends, family members and supporters of Sherri Lynn Flett stood outside the Fort McMurray courthouse in -20 C Monday.

Flett, a mother, daughter and member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, was killed last month. 

Wood Buffalo RCMP found Flett's body on Jan. 24 at a house in Grayling Terrace in Fort McMurray. 

Two days later, Timothy McDougall, 37, was charged with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains, unlawful confinement and firearms-related offences.

He appeared in provincial court on Monday. 

Lori Cyprien, Flett's cousin, said the rally was meant to make sure Flett is not forgotten. 

"We're not going to forget," Cyprien said. "We want justice for Sherri."

She said she will return to the courthouse for each of McDougall's appearances. Cyprien was in charge of the original search party when Flett went missing. 

"I love the support," Cyprien said. "Even during the searches, we had mayor, council and my chief, community at large, coming to search." 

She said it was touching to see so many people come out to support the family.

She would like to see more funding to help searches for missing loved ones and for the searches to be taken more seriously by media. 

"We just need to be loud right away and not wait. These people are loved. They're daughters, they're mothers, sisters, cousins, people's friends," Cyprien said. 

"Sherri was the funnest person that you could be around. She was always a go-getter, up for adventures, very caring. 

"Sherri was loved by so many people. We are just not going to forget and we want justice to be served.