Family, friends and supporters of Happy Charles are again working to remind the public about her case.
Happy has been missing since April of 2017. She was last seen in Prince Albert near Prince Albert Collegiate Institute. Monday morning a large group of people gathered at Kinsmen Park before walking to Parkland Hall on the city’s west side. Prior to the walk four of Happy’s daughters drummed and an Elder offered a prayer. Carson Poitras, Happy’s father also spoke to the crowd and talked about while the walk was for Happy they also are looking to help raise awareness about other missing women.
Before the walk for Happy Charles began her daughters drummed. pic.twitter.com/JIlRQ2dn1h
— Michael Joel-Hansen (@mjhskcdn) April 3, 2023
Speaking to media at Parkland Hall after the walk, Happy’s oldest daughter Aleisha Charles said when her mother went missing six years ago she and her sisters had just started getting the chance to know her after being adopted by their grandparents. Aleisha explained her mother was with them as they did sweats and when they sang.
“We were just learning what her life was like, what she went through growing up, how things happened where she got to the place where she was before she went missing, we were learning more about her,” she said.
Aleisha as well spoke about the importance of finding her mother and in having closure. She said along with her family that Happy had many friends in both Prince Albert and La Ronge, who also have been impacted by her disappearance.
“Her last words to me, (were) ‘things are going to be better my girl’ and maybe they were for her cause she’s probably in the spirit world with some of her favorite people that passed on before her, but she left broken hearts,” she said.
(Aleshia Charles with her grandparents Carson and Regina Poitras outside of Parkland Hall. Photo by Michael Joel-Hansen.)
Happy’s father Carson Poitras spoke about the search for his daughter and about what it has been like waiting so long for answers. Poitras said despite the long wait they are feeling positive about the possibility of finding Happy.
“We’ve had some, I guess spiritual stuff happening at our house, signs that are showing us that possibly this is the year that we’ll find her,” he said.
Among the people who came out to walk and show their support Monday was Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette. Speaking to MBC Radio News Vermette said he felt it was important to show up for the walk and for the family.
“I just want to be here to support the family, I have supported them over the years and you know our hearts have gone out to them and you know watching what they’ve gone through and missing their girl and they just want their girl home,” he said.
Along with supporting Happy’s family, Vermette said it also important to attend walks like the one in Prince Albert Monday to help raise public awareness about missing Indigenous women and girls. The Cumberland MLA said people all over the province are impacted with many left looking for answers. He added more resources need to be put forward and work done to make sure more people don’t go missing.
“Our governments need to do their part and make sure we do what we can to protect our women and young girls,” he said.
(Walkers heading down the street after leaving the parking lot at Kinsmen Park. Photo by Michael Joel-Hansen.)
(Top Photo: Walkers leaving the parking lot at Kinsmen Park. Photo by Michael Joel-Hansen.)