Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
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.”
Jason Wesley and Alison Bresette hold candles in honour of Jessica Bakker outside of Atlohsa Family Healing Services following a vigil. (Kendra Seguin/CBC News)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.
A table at Jessica Bakker's vigil invites attendees to create a tobacco tie to honour her, send her prayers and hold space for her loved ones. (Kendra Seguin/CBC News)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.
A call to actionThose 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.
Devon McQueen attends a candlelight vigil for late-friend Jessica Bakker, who worked at the London Music Hall when the pair first met more than a decade ago. (Kendra Seguin/CBC News)“If you listen to Jessica with your heart, you will hear a wise teacher. She’s still teaching us now.”
Bakker’s relative Patricia Shawnoo agreed, adding that calls for justice go beyond only women and girls but all Indigenous peoples.
“Jessica-Baa is still doing work for all of those who are missing and have been murdered – every single woman, man, young girl, young boy and two-spirited. All those who have their life shortened with no natural causes to their deaths,” Shawnoo said. “This is Jessica saying to speak out and be my voice.”
‘The truth always comes out’Shawnoo is calling on Bakker’s London-area friends and wider community to come forward with any information they may have about Bakker’s death.
“On behalf of the family, we would like the public, if they know anything, to be in touch with the investigating officers and try to provide information so that they can try to help us find out what happened,” she said.
Bakker’s mother said she is hopeful that the police’s ongoing investigation will bring her answers soon.
“I just want the truth to set us all free, whatever that truth may have been at the time,” Angela said. "The truth always comes out."
People made signs honouring Jessica Bakker at a vigil held at Atlohsa Family Healing Services. (Kendra Seguin/CBC News)