More money may mean more answers

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Chief and council of the Fort Nelson First Nation are offering $100,000 for information that leads to a conviction in the 1997 murder of Loretta Capot-Blanc.

The decision to increase the reward (it was originally set at $10,000, then $20,000) comes after a visit from Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) president Kukdookaa Terri Brown. She stopped in Fort Nelson in July to talk about the the Sisters in Spirit campaign, a movement designed to bring attention to the Aboriginal women who have been murdered or have gone missing over the last two decades in Canada.

Brown met with Capot-Blanc's family and said it was time leadership started getting more involved.

"We're getting more and more interest from chiefs, chiefs across the country, and it's important that they do speak out. They are very critical to creating safety for Aboriginal women," said Brown. "It does haunt you as a leader to know that women are disappearing and women are dying and there's very little we can do. And we've created a lot of awareness on this issue."

Roberta Dendys, who was Capot-Blanc's cousin, said that by offering the reward the family is hoping to get some closure on a violent episode that has haunted it for the past seven years. Capot-Blanc went missing during Treaty Day celebrations Aug. 11, 1997. Her remains were found on Sept. 1 of that year, her death ruled a homicide.

"She was very loving, she showed a lot of affection towards her family and she always had a smile on her face," said Dendys. "She was just a person that never did any harm to anybody and that's what makes it so strange. Why would somebody hurt somebody like this?"

Chief Liz Logan said that by raising the reward they could entice somebody who has some information about the death. The band also wants to put to rest one of many mysteries. This is the fifth person from the reserve of 420 people whose murder has gone unsolved.

"It's over seven years and we want to bring the closure for the family. I could not imagine being in that situation. So, we have to do what we have to do," said Logan, who assured Windspeaker she hadn't heard any complaints about band funds being used this way. "Hopefully this will bring some closure, get something done."

Anyone with information on the murder can contact the Fort Nelson RCMP at (250) 774-2777, or the Crimestoppers Tip Line at (250) 774-TIPS.

NWAC estimates that about 500 women have been murdered or gone missing over the last 20 years.

Brown said that it's "an outstanding issue, it's an historical issue, as well as a very current issue, where women's lives are in danger.

"I don't know if a week goes by when we don't hear of someone who's gone missing," said Brown. "It's very concerning because the safety of all women are at risk, particularly Aboriginal, and in particular young women. Of course we want to save lives, as well as create safety for all as it is a human right to have safety and have dignity and be able to move about freely in this country, which we have not enjoyed."