Creating a loving legacy while awaiting justice for Gracie

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This article was published 31/07/2023 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Gracie Menow’s grieving loved ones don’t want another family to go through the pain they’ve experienced since the nine-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run in February.

In an effort to prevent similar tragedies, the Grade 3 student’s family has put up signs around Norway House Cree Nation that encourage people to drive carefully and slow down.

The campaign to raise awareness about road safety has offered some healing to Gracie’s relatives, while creating a legacy for the youngster.

“Gracie is opening the pathway to children learning about safety and things like that,” her grandmother, Genevieve Menow, told the Free Press. “We want to prevent this from happening to another family, the pain that my family is going through.”

Gracie was crossing Jack River Road in Norway House with her 12-year-old cousin when she was fatally struck by an SUV at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 24.

The children were returning home after sliding and playing outside in the snow.

The road’s posted speed limit is 50 km/h, said Genevieve.

In February, Manitoba RCMP said the driver immediately stopped, got out of the vehicle and told the 12-year-old to call for help, before fleeing the scene.

The driver, a 28-year-old woman, later returned and was placed under arrest for failing to stop at the scene, said police.

An SUV was seized for examination.

At the time, RCMP said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision.

The RCMP confirmed Friday the case is still with the Manitoba Prosecution Service for review to determine what charges are applicable.

For Gracie’s loved ones, the wait has been extremely difficult. They think about the driver going about her life, while they continue to mourn their loss.

“We’re all mad about this justice system,” said her grandmother. “Why is nothing being done? We hope to see justice.”

Gracie’s family said she loved playing outdoors and going to school at the Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Centre.

She celebrated her ninth birthday three weeks before the collision.

In May, the Menow family and supporters held a ceremony at the scene of the collision to unveil the first billboard.

It features a photo of Gracie and her dates of birth and death.

A Cree drum group performed a memorial song before the revealing. Gracie’s mother, Catherine, later wept while she stood with one hand on the sign.

After embracing and taking some time to remember Gracie, family members embarked on a seven-kilometre awareness walk through the community, which is located about 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Escorted by community safety officers, they wore sweaters which bear Gracie’s name and photo, and a similar message urging people to drive slowly.

After the walk, the family visited Gracie’s grave.

“The walk, I think, really helped a lot with the family. There was crying and a little bit of healing when we walked,” said Genevieve.

She said six signs have been put up so far. There are plans for more.

The Menow family raised money to pay for the billboards before a councillor stepped in and offered to cover the costs, said Genevieve.

She said relatives have gone through a range of emotions, including sadness and anger, since Gracie died.

Younger family members and Gracie’s classmates continue to ask about her.

“They cry because they miss her so much,” said Genevieve. “There’s always a part missing when we have get-togethers.”

In the days after the collision, crisis workers visited the community to support Gracie’s cousin, other relatives and her young friends.

Genevieve believes the billboards will encourage all road users to keep safety in mind, while serving as a reminder of the family’s loss.

“The pain is still fresh,” she said.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching