Family, friends demand justice for Indigenous woman found dead near Smithers, B.C.

Family and friends of an Indigenous womanfound dead near Smithers, B.C., are demanding justice.

On Saturdaythey marched and laid a cross at the siteoutside the northwestern town where 18-year-old Jessica Patrick was found dead in September 2018.

"We needed our voices to be heard saying that we are still waiting we're still waiting for some answers here," saidMary Nicholas, a relative of Patrick's whowas part of the team that found her body.

Patrick, who had a daughter, was last seenAug. 31, 2018 near a motel along Highway 16, which is commonly referred toas the Highway of Tears.

Patrick's body was discoveredSept. 15, 2018 on a hillside known as the Hudson Bay lookout.

• Dozens gather along Highway 16 as teen's remains brought home
• 'We haven't done enough:' grief along the Highway of Tears 1 year after MMIWG inquiry hearings

Nicholas saidSaturday's event was meant to spread awareness ofall the missing and murdered women in the province.

Advocates estimate more than 40 women and girls, mostly Indigenous, have gone missing or been murdered since 1969 along the 700-kilometre stretch of highway between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

The RCMPsay they areis still working on Patrick'scase but won't say if she was murdered, only that the file is "active and ongoing."

JacquieBowes, a cousin of Patrick's, organized Saturday's event and hopes it will keep pressure on investigators.

"We are refusing to have this case as a cold case like all the other files that happened," she said.

Selena Williams attended the event and said Patrick was one of her closest friends. Both are from the Lake Babine Nation.

"She is one of the murdered or missing Indigenous women that I have known personally and that impacted my life so much that I wanted my voice to be heard," she said, noting that she wantsjustice for not only Patrick but others as well.

• National inquiry calls murders and disappearances of Indigenous women a 'Canadian genocide'

On Monday, a ceremony will be held in Gatineau, Que., to present the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls.

The report is more than 1,200 pagesand includes over 230 recommendations.

It describes the murders and disappearances ofthousands of Indigenous women and girls across the country as a "Canadian genocide."

For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. You can also access long-term health support services such as mental health counselling and community-based cultural services through Indigenous Services Canada.