Vigil honouring Indigenous woman found dead in London sparks call-to-action for MMIWG

Dozens of people walked through downtown London Wednesday night shining candles in honour of a First Nation’s woman found dead in the city last month, while also calling for increased awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous peoples. 

Family, friends and community members gathered at Atlohsa Family Healing Services’ head office for a ceremony to remember Jessica Bakker, who was from Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

“She was an amazing daughter, a good mother, a beautiful soul, a hard worker with a huge heart and I just want her to be remembered for the person who she truly was,” said her mother, Angela Bakker. 

“She would always take a negative and turn it into a positive. She was a very strong woman, and her family was everything.”

The vigil included honour songs, speeches from loved ones, tobacco tying, a community meal and a candlelight walk around the block. Despite strong winds blowing out some candles, community members consistently shared flames with one another to keep the light going. 

“Besides family, I’ve seen a lot of people [at the vigil]. Some came up to me to let me know how they knew her. It made me proud, like I’m proud to be her mom no matter what,” Angela said. 

Bakker’s body was found by a member of the public near King and Maitland streets on Feb. 17 around 1:30 p.m., London police said in a brief media release at the time.

Police previously told CBC News they are still investigating the cause of Baaker’s death, but a 55-year-old London man was charged with one count of improper/indecent interference with a dead body. 

Court documents show that he placed Bakker’s body inside garbage bags and left it beside the garbage dumpster behind 450 King St., where he lived.

Bakker was not reported missing prior to her body being located, police said. 

Those attending the vigil were encouraged to wear red in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). 

For some, Bakker’s death was a reminder of a larger movement that still requires a lot of work to be done. 

“Tonight we gather not only to honour Jessica, but to raise awareness. Jessica’s life reminded us that these are not just statistics. These are our daughters, sisters and friends,” said community member and friend Luke Nicholas, during the vigil’s opening words.

“If you listen to Jessica with your heart, you will hear a wise teacher. She’s still teaching us now.”