Born in 1961, Janet is the youngest. Her sister Donna who worries and weeps for her today, is the oldest of the thirteen children of this Namgis family from Kwaguilth Nation, Alert Bay, BC. They grew up in Kingcome Inlet on northern Vancouver Island but for a variety of reasons, most were attracted to the cities.

For all too many painful years, the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia has been home to dozens of Aboriginal women whose spirits got lost somewhere along the way and whose lives were consumed by drugs and prostitution.

The mysterious disappearance of Jan Henry has touched the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people in First Nation, urban Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and especially in their homes too. For Donna Joseph, the phone calls of care and concern and the prayer circles, are proof. They also are her support.

Janet Henry is one of the more than fifty women who are missing - a story that has been sensationalized internationally in recent weeks because of a police investigation at a pig farm in Port Coquitlam.

Families of the missing women have stories that share similarities. Despite their lives on the streets, these women stayed in touch with their families, surprisingly often. What prompted Donna Joseph to believe her "baby sister" had disappeared was her sudden silence.

"She always stayed in contact with my other younger sister Sandra Gagnon . . . and if it wasn't with Sandra, it was with my baby brother Lance who also lived in Vancouver," said Donna Joseph in an interview with Turtle Island Native Network.

In the summer of 1997 there were no more phone calls. Donna said that after three days the family know something was wrong, "She never ever did not call on a daily basis."

It was then Donna Joseph started to learn more about her sister's lifestyle, "tylenol shooting and from that she became addicted to heroin and whatever other drugs were out there." When she went missing, Donna's sister Sandra who had been able to previously protect the family from some sordid details, revealed that Jan was 'on the street' to support her drug habit.

Almost five years later the family was sent into another state of shock when the news broke about the police investigation in Port Coquitlam. "I was devastated when I saw it again . . . the story and her picture on the tv," recalled Donna as she sobbed and paused to hold back tears and another wave of emotion. There have been so many recently, including when she got word of the sudden death of her 23 year old nephew the other day.

But Donna Joseph, a Native courtworker in Victoria, is one of those growing number of Aboriginal women you meet nowadays --- gentle, warm and caring but also strong and solid as a rock. Despite her feelings she agrees to carry on with the interview because it is her nature to share. She wants others to know how grateful she is for their support --- the prayers, hugs and comforting conversations.

It seems Aboriginal people have more than their share of trials and tribulations, but it is during these times they come together the best, not just families but communities too. Donna Joseph is quick to agree that when a crisis happens, we somehow pull together!

"Oh the support is just awesome", she acknowledged. From the community - Alex Nelson of Aboriginal Sport and Recreation and the Kwaguilth Urban Society, family members up and down the island, from Vancouver to Winnipeg and Ontario --- members of the Kwaguilth, Nuu chah nulth, Cree and Oneida Nations. They said prayers, some lit candles, others burned tobacco, and sweats were being planned. The Salvation Army offered help.

Donna Joseph is in awe of the outpouring of help, something she has desperately needed. As the oldest she knows her responsibilities in the family. They might be a burden if it weren't for all the prayers and her own connection to the Creator, "Sometimes it just becomes so overwhelming, because for me and my family we buried my baby brother in November and we buried my older sister in April last year, now the investigation, and then the suicide".

A few hours from now she will board a ferry to the mainland so she can again join her family and friends. This time for her nephew's funeral in Maple Ridge. As well, she plans visits to Port Coquitlam and the observation tent that the police have established for families of the missing women, so they can be close to the scene of the intensive investigation, and be able to learn of developments from the regular police briefings.

As the police investigation is expected to be a lengthy one, we must remember there can not be too many prayers offered for the families, and for the missing women. No matter who you are, or to what faith your prayers are attached. They are valued!

Witness the gratitude of Donna Joseph, "I feel really blessed that I'm receptive to all nations and the tools that come from them for my strength and spiritual maintenance."

NOTE: Feel free to E-mail Donna Joseph through Turtle Island Native Network at infocom@pro.net

Anyone with information that may assist the police in their investigation should call
the Toll Free Tip Line 1-877-687-3377

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