Mary L.L Graham, a Red River Métis Family Member/ Survivor and activist of MMIWG2S would like to show respect to her sister May-Marie Parisien and our loved ones who are missing or murdered by planting a Manitoba Heritage Bur Oak Tree for the MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S. (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls/ Missing & Murdered Indigenous Men and Boys & Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit).

Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck, Winnipeg, Manitoba, is an activist who devoted her time supporting the Families & Survivors of MMIWG2S. Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck assisted Family Member Mary Graham in blessing the ground to plant the Bur Oak Tree as well as place the Sacred Rock at Michaëlle Jean Park in Point Douglas.

The Manitoba Heritage Bur Oak Tree is planted in honour of the Families and Survivors of the MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S with the support of Councillor Ross Eadie and Martha Barwinsky, City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch. The recognition of this Bur Oak as a Manitoba Heritage Tree for MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S will gather the Families/Survivors, Community, Organizations, Government, and Individuals to raise awareness, to encourage change, and to provide support to the Families and Survivors.

By planting this Bur Oak Tree and gifting the Rock to Mother Earth offers respect and memory to the loved ones who were subjected to violence. The memorial is a way to remember, honour and pay tribute to all loved ones who are missing or murdered. “We all need to support each other, to raise awareness, to encourage change, to honour the Families & Survivors of MMIWG2S...To stop this violence.”

“THOSE STOLEN WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND REMEMBERED”

The Bur Oak Tree is the genus name, Quercus, the Latin name for the oaks. The species name, macrocarpa, means “with large fruit” from the Greek words “makros”, meaning large, and “karpos”, meaning fruit. The Oak tree is one of the most loved trees in the world, and with good reason. It is the national tree of many countries. It symbolizes Strength and Endurance, Honour, Nobility, and Wisdom.

Other qualities associated with the Oak tree include protection, success, and stability. Oaks are known to easily surpass 300 years of age making it a powerful life-affirming symbol. It is known as the “Tree of Life” because of the countless living beings that make it their home and due to its large size and longevity.

It is my vision, as a family member of MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S that other families impacted by violence will plant similar trees in their own communities.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations who contributed in making this vision happen:

• Martha Barwinsky, City Forester, City of Winnipeg

• Councillor Ross Eadie, Mynarski Ward, Winnipeg, Canada

• Sima Feuer, Manager of Planning and Development, Forestry and Peatlands Branch, Province of Manitoba

• Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck, President of Minaw-Yaa-Win (a feeling of goodness and wellness), Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Christian Cassidy, Executive Director of Trees Winnipeg and his staff.

Mary L.L Graham, a Red River Métis Family Member/ Survivor and activist of MMIWG2S would like to show respect to her sister May-Marie Parisien and our loved ones who are missing or murdered by planting a Manitoba Heritage Bur Oak Tree for the MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S. (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls/ Missing & Murdered Indigenous Men and Boys & Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit).

Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck, Winnipeg, Manitoba, is an activist who devoted her time supporting the Families & Survivors of MMIWG2S. Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck assisted Family Member Mary Graham in blessing the ground to plant the Bur Oak Tree as well as place the Sacred Rock at Michaëlle Jean Park in Point Douglas.

The Manitoba Heritage Bur Oak Tree is planted in honour of the Families and Survivors of the MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S with the support of Councillor Ross Eadie and Martha Barwinsky, City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch. The recognition of this Bur Oak as a Manitoba Heritage Tree for MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S will gather the Families/Survivors, Community, Organizations, Government, and Individuals to raise awareness, to encourage change, and to provide support to the Families and Survivors.

By planting this Bur Oak Tree and gifting the Rock to Mother Earth offers respect and memory to the loved ones who were subjected to violence. The memorial is a way to remember, honour and pay tribute to all loved ones who are missing or murdered. “We all need to support each other, to raise awareness, to encourage change, to honour the Families & Survivors of MMIWG2S...To stop this violence.”

“THOSE STOLEN WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND REMEMBERED”

The Bur Oak Tree is the genus name, Quercus, the Latin name for the oaks. The species name, macrocarpa, means “with large fruit” from the Greek words “makros”, meaning large, and “karpos”, meaning fruit. The Oak tree is one of the most loved trees in the world, and with good reason. It is the national tree of many countries. It symbolizes Strength and Endurance, Honour, Nobility, and Wisdom.

Other qualities associated with the Oak tree include protection, success, and stability. Oaks are known to easily surpass 300 years of age making it a powerful life-affirming symbol. It is known as the “Tree of Life” because of the countless living beings that make it their home and due to its large size and longevity.

It is my vision, as a family member of MMIWG-MMIMB & LGBTQ2S that other families impacted by violence will plant similar trees in their own communities.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations who contributed in making this vision happen:

• Martha Barwinsky, City Forester, City of Winnipeg

• Councillor Ross Eadie, Mynarski Ward, Winnipeg, Canada

• Sima Feuer, Manager of Planning and Development, Forestry and Peatlands Branch, Province of Manitoba

• Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck, President of Minaw-Yaa-Win (a feeling of goodness and wellness), Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Christian Cassidy, Executive Director of Trees Winnipeg and his staff.