‘We’re in a state of emergency’: Vigil held for Indigenous teen Noelle O’Soup

Family members and friends grieving the loss of missing Indigenous teen Noelle O’Soup held a vigil in her honour Tuesday night.

Lorelei Williams, organizer with Butterflies in Spirit, says the family asked her and her organization to arrange the vigil for the 14-year-old O’Soup.

A private vigil was already held, and the family felt having a public vigil was the right decision.

“(The family) wanted a public one because they want to raise awareness of this issue. They want people to know that something terrible has happened to Noelle and they want answers. They have a lot of questions that need to be answered,” says Williams.

Williams said a meeting with Vancouver police took place, but the numerous missing Indigenous women is sending shockwaves through the community.

“It’s very disturbing. It’s very frustrating. There’s something terrible happening. There’s always something horrible happening to our Indigenous women and girls.”

“We’re in a state of emergency. Our Indigenous women and girls are in a state of emergency, our Indigenous women girls need to be protected. There’s a high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”

Almost a year after O’Soup was reported missing, police confirmed on June 22 she was found dead.

The teenager was reported missing May 12, 2021.

Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison confirmed O’Soup’s remains were found on May 1st 2022 in an apartment building in the Downtown Eastside.

Her family was informed June 6. Vancouver Police are now leading the investigation around O’Soup’s death.

The circumstances surrounding her death are not clear with foul play not ruled out at this point.

Founded in 2012, Butterflies in Spirit is a dance group made up of family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

With files from Tarnjit Parmar and Nikitha Martins