Stop Human Trafficking Conference, Protecting the Circle
On March 6th , 2025, at the Ramada Inn, the Akwesasne Family Wellness Program hosted a conference entitled ‘Stop Human Trafficking, Protecting the Circle’ which was attended by approximately 175 people from various organizations and from the front line in the area, all sharing a common interest in stopping this appalling criminal activity aimed at innocent people of all ages.
The day started with a breakfast for all the attendees. Shara Francis-Herne and Jo-
Jo Van Hooser opened the event and Emilena Cornelius gave thanks by bringing
together all the Creators’ elements, along with an amazingly beautiful slide show.
Steven Thomson’s Meditation followed, and focused on the 7 Sacred Breaths.
Speakers present in the room, and via Zoom, talked about how trafficking is done
and by whom. These included Deb Bush from the Minnesota Indian Women’s
Sexual Assault Coalition. Julie Dine Rich, of the Mothers Against Meth Alliance,
spoke to us virtually, while Jackie Fawn of Fishbear Studios was also in
attendance.
After lunch, two testimonials left everyone present in or very close to tears. Savannah Roy-Hamel, a young woman who entered the world of trafficking at the
age of 12, coerced into trafficking by a friend in school. Having a rough life at
home, Savannah was given promises of a better life, but instead started living an
unimaginable hell. After seven years, with great determination and courage, she
found her way back, and now is a mother and living the best life she can. The
second speaker was Sharon John who, as a young girl from a poorer part of
Montreal, fell in love with ‘the wrong guy’, who put her out on the street when he
was finished with her. On the streets, she did what she had to do to feed her
crack habit. Her break came after her pimp offered her freedom in Ottawa. He left
her on a street corner with a cigarette, a lighter and ten dollars. At 17, she
decided to get clean. That was 17 years ago: now she is helping others with their
lives. Two remarkably courageous women, to have lived such horrors yet survived
and thrived, able to tell a room full of strangers their stories, and help others in
their struggles do the same. I had to go and tell Sharon how proud I was of her.
The New York Assistant District Attorney, Susan E. Griskonis, spoke about her own
highly abusive relationship, one that she fled from just three days before her son
was born. She spoke about the resources available and the collaboration between
the Canadian and US law enforcement. Detective Sergeant Karonienhawi
Thompson and Detective Constable Brier Jonathan spoke about what the
challenges facing police officers are, of getting people to cooperate both sides of
the border. We were also entertained by music from the Travelling College. Jo-Jo
Van Hoose spoke about the gaps of police presence on the main roads traveled by
traffickers, and how she has to ‘dress down and walk the street’ to rescue the
boys (Yes, the boys) and the girls being trafficked, something she does after
working her other jobs. ‘Someone has to do it’ and she is that someone. Final
words were shared by Shara Francis-Herne, with closing remarks by Emilena
Cornelius.
My own thoughts on this conference? All parents, grandparents and concerned
individuals ought to attend events such as these, subjects that we need to learn
about, so we can help prevent such human tragedies from happening. Who are
the traffickers? The reality is that they are our brothers and sisters, mothers and
fathers, and they are everywhere. If you think or suspect that someone is being
trafficked, please call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 833-900-1010.
You may save someone’s life, maybe the life of someone you love.
Stephen Douris ©
