54 year-old Krista Fox made her way to Merritt last Friday afternoon as she continues her cross-country walk to spread awareness about the missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in Canada. Fox, along with Lindsey Bishop and Diane Morin, have started this 10-month journey back in February, starting from Victoria, headed towards Newfoundland.

MMIW has been an issue the Indigenous community have faced for years and the disappearance of Fox’s friend, Ashley Morin, has motivated her to do this walk.

“I decided about 2 years ago that we needed a walk across Canada for all missing and Murdered,” said Fox. “Not only keep to their names out there but to bring more awareness to this issue.”

Fox arrived in Merritt at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 4. She was welcomed by Women’s Representative for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Melissa Moses and her mother Verna.
“I first heard of Krista Fox’s journey to travel across Canada for MMIW awareness from her cousin Sheldon Quewezance who lives here in Merritt,” said Moses.

“I was just so inspired by her story I said yes I will support her. I have been following her tiktok live videos since she started in Victoria which was also her 54th birthday.”

The three women were then taken to the NVIT MMIW2S Memorial Project where Moses and the travelers “exchanged some powerful and emotional stories.”

Later on, a gathering at central park was held to welcome the three ladies to Nicola Valley. A number of attendees came to greet Fox and the others, most notably, Fox’s family who first spread the word about her arrival in Merritt.

“When Krista first made the announcement within our family, I had my doubts she would be able to make it work even though i wanted it to,” said Sheldon Quewezance, Fox’s cousin. “There were a lot of hurdles to overcome in the short period of time that she gave herself. Now that I have seen her and her team in motion, I couldn’t be any more proud of her.”

Fox, Bishop and Morin, left Merritt on March 5 at 9:30 am headed towards Kelowna. They are expected to complete their trek, reaching Newfoundland in December.

To stay updated with Fox’s journey, like her Facebook page Krista’s Kilometers For MMIW, or follow her on Tiktok @kristafox68.