Mother’s Day has always been difficult for Vanessa Brooks. It often coincides with the day she lost her sister, Tanya Brooks, a bright mother of five from the Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia.

Despite being a mother herself, Brooks often spends the day leading a memorial walk for Tanya, pouring over pictures from their childhood and repeating the same public plea:

“It’s still an open investigation and I implore anybody who’s listening, if they have any information please address it to the Halifax Regional Police or Crime Stoppers,” she said Sunday, the 11th anniversary of Tanya’s death.

Tanya was killed on May 10, 2009, her body left in the window well of St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School in Halifax. The murder remains unsolved, leaving the family with open wounds, awaiting justice.

Every year on this anniversary, Brooks holds a memorial march for her sister. Family, friends and supporters sing, drum, light candles and lay tobacco for Tanya, who is remembered as a compassionate woman with an uncanny ability to weather any storm with grace and strength.

The watch party will be filmed from Tanya’s gravesite in Millbrook First Nation, adjacent to the home they shared growing up.

Brooks said she encourages everyone to join as a show of solidarity for Tanya — one of thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

But her sister is more than a statistic, Brooks added; her name matters and so do the names of every person Nova Scotia has lost to tragedy in the past three weeks.

“Regardless of a pandemic, as we’ve just recently been hit in Nova Scotia with the 22 victims from Portapique and the six victims with the helicopter crash, and now with baby Dylan being missing, murder doesn’t take a break, killing doesn’t take a break and this can’t take a break.”

“I can’t not do something because the cause is too important, to bring the awareness to my sister.”

Members of the public are encouraged to share photos and fond memories of Tanya on the memorial Facebook page and leave their porch lights on overnight on Sunday to guide her home and contrast the darkness of Tanya’s final hours.

“It was a tradition my grandmother had taught me from the time I grew up and we’ve honoured it that way,” Brooks explained.

“In solidarity, I’d like for us to stand because I stand not only for my sister — I stand for my daughters, I stand for mothers and sisters and aunts.”

Brooks added that it’s important to acknowledge the violence and complex issues that afflict Indigenous men and boys as well.

Halifax Regional Police are still investigating Tanya’s case. Anyone with information about her murder is asked to contact them at 902-490-5016 or send an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.

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