It’s been 21 years since Lisa Marie Young went missing, precisely the age she was when she was last seen in the early morning of June 30, 2002, in Nanaimo.
Since 2003, Lisa Marie Young’s family, friends, and community members have gathered for an annual walk to honour her memory as they search for answers. On the morning of Sunday, June 25, they gathered, once again, meeting outside of the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.
As the crowd walked together, Lisa Marie Young signs were held above, walking to Maffeo Sutton Park to meet at Nanaimo’s Lion Pavilion. Red dresses danced in the wind, as Lisa’s family, friends, and community members spoke in honour of the Tla-o-qui-aht woman and in search of answers.
Inspired by Lisa Marie Young’s love for music, local artists performed songs throughout the day.
“Every year we do a walk and a gathering in honour of Lisa, and her mom, so nobody will forget,” said Carol Frank, Lisa Marie Young’s aunt. “People that don’t know her story will learn something today too. It’s really important.”
“It’s really uplifting and brings us strength,” said Frank when seeing the community gather. “There’s a lot of people that I’ve gotten to know over the years and so each year they come in support of Lisa.”
“We all just want answers and to bring Lisa home,” she added.
