Candles for Caitlin

Photo: Contributed

Caitlin Potts will be remembered at a candlelight vigil in Enderby Dec. 6th.

Caitlin Brandy Potts is not forgotten despite going missing in the North Okanagan in February 2016.

A candlelight vigil will be held for Potts in Enderby on Dec. 6.

Potts was the first of five women who went missing in the region over a 19-month period.

The remains of another missing female, Traci Genereaux, were found buried on a Shuswap farm in October. The RCMP continue to investigate her suspicious death.

The Southeast District Major Crimes Unit is responsible for the Potts investigation which remains open.

“This is an effort to make sure Caitlin is not forgotten and that there is awareness that she was missing from the Enderby area,” said Jody Leon, with the local Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's group. “It is also to raise awareness of Ashley Simpson, Deanna Wertz, and Nicole Bell and to acknowledge Traci Generaux and the violence against women (who) were stolen and or murdered by someone.”

Potts was 27 when she disappeared.

A second reason for the vigil is to remember the Dec. 6, 1989 massacre at the École Polytechnique in Montreal where 14 women were killed before the male perpetrator turned the gun on himself. 

“This is to bring local awareness of the Montreal violence, as we have violence against women here,” Leon said.

Those attending the vigil are asked to meet on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. by East Enderby Bridge at Quilakwa RV Park on Enderby Grindrod Road. A walk starts at 6 p.m. from where Caitlin Potts disappeared to the Splatsin Community Centre.

Leon said all hand drums are welcome as is potluck finger food.