Explore B.C.'s notorious Highway of Tears in new virtual reality documentary
CBC Radio One's The Current uses VR to tell the story of Ramona Wilson, Indigenous girl missing since 1994
When Matilda Wilson's daughter Ramona went missing in 1994, Wilsonnever imagined that 22 years later, she would still be searching for answers about what happened.
Ramona Wilson was 16when she disappeared from Smithers, B.C., on her way to meet a friend in a nearby town. Like so many othersfrom the small community in northernB.C., she had to travel along Highway 16, whichhas become known as the Highway of Tears. Her body was found nearly a year later, but her murder remains unsolved.
The RCMPhaveacknowledged that18 girls and women have gone missing or been murdered along the stretch of highway between Prince George and Prince Rupertand nearbyroutes since 1969. Indigenous leaders say that number is closer to 50.
"Even now, I lose my breath just thinking about the mothers, that there is no trace of their daughters," Wilson said.
The story of Ramona's disappearance and her mother's search for answers is told in a new light in avirtual realitydocumentaryproduced by CBC Radio One'sThe Current thatgets its first wide releasetoday.
CBC's first virtual reality documentary, Highwayof Tears transports viewers to the Wilson home and then onto the notorious stretch of Highway 16, providing a visceral experience of thelandscape and the personal tragedies that haunt that landscape andthat haveaffected so manyIndigenous people in Canada.The documentary was directed by Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Jackson.
How to watch
The best way towatch theHighway of Tears documentary andget the full virtual reality experienceis to use an Oculus Rift or Gear VR headset.
You can also view a 360video version of the documentaryon amobile device using theYouTubeappor by visiting the The Current'sFacebookpage.
Android users can download the CBC VR appin the Google Play store; the iOS app foriPhone users is here.
VR doc to be shown across Canada
On Sept.1 of this year, the federal government launched a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.The inquiry came in the wakeof emotional pleas from relativesand community members, news storiesand police reports that underscored what is now recognized as the decades-long vulnerability and victimization of Indigenous women in Canada.
Theirstories and the sheer numberof women affectedestimated at anywhere from hundreds to thousands havecaptured the attention and support of a wide spectrum of Canadians.
Against this backdrop,The Current launched its virtual reality documentary at a public forum Oct.13in PrinceGeorge, a community with close links tothe highway and the tragic stories associated with it.
More than 250 peopleattended, manyof whom came with their own personal stories of loved ones gone missing or affected by violence.
"The exploitation and the abuse, the systemic racism Every day, you're fighting, every day.You're not treated equal,"RenaZatorski, aLheidliT'ennehband member, told hostAnna MariaTremonti.
The Current plans to show thedocumentary at a series of town hallsacross the country overthe coming months.
Go behind-the-scenes of a new VR doc from @TheCurrentCBC about one young woman who went missing in 1994 #MMIW https://t.co/FlobSuGhVX pic.twitter.com/drSTBsR7LE
—@CBCDocProject
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