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Team Members

The Tears to Hope Society is and remains a grassroots organization and one that is proudly led but strong Indigenous women, from the Board of Directors to the boots on the ground organizers!

Lorna Brown

Lorna has been fighting for justice for our missing and murdered women and girls since her niece, Tamara Chipman, went missing in 2005. It was during those cold days of searching for Tamara, that Lorna saw the love and thoughtfulness of her community, as they came to help in the search. Alongside her sister and longtime MMIWG advocate, Gladys Radek, Lorna has been there to support families, which took her across Canada through the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

All her time spent with families of missing and murdered loved ones, culminated in her directing her first feature documentary. "Adaawk", an award winning film, premiered at the ImagineNative Film Festival. Many documentaries have been made about MMIWG, but never has one been made by a family member. Lorna believes it is so important that we tell our own stories, which is what Adaawk did.

Denise Halfyard

Denise is Lorna's daughter and the cousin of Tamara Chipman. She first became involved with MMIWG awareness when the inquiry came to Richmond BC. After hearing so many heartbreaking stories, she wanted to do more, but didn't know how. Fortunately, her Mom and Birgitte were taking care of this part.

Denise has a background in business, having owned an award winning floral design company, a beading "side hustle", working as a voice actor narrating books and e-learning courses and starting The Frog Radio, a station devoted to Indigenous music of all genres from Turtle Island. All this experience is what made Lorna and Birgitte think she would be perfect for the job of event coordinator.

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