Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/659455
PAGE 8 APRIL 2016 Her siblings remember Amanda Sophia Bartlett as a girl who loved to read and who had an excellent imagination, creating stories and often acting them out - sometimes scaring her younger sister. They knew her as a fun, free-spirited girl, who enjoyed nature, being outdoors and swimming. When Amanda was last seen, she was a 17-year-old described as Aboriginal with short black hair, full- figured, 5'6 to 5'7, and had a noticeable gait in that she walked with her feet turned inward (pigeon toed). She was also known by her nickname 'Mandy'. The last documented contact with Amanda was in March 1996, at which time she was known to be in Winnipeg. At that time, Amanda was believed to be working as a survival sex trade worker and had addiction issues. Her family members say that Amanda was not only compassionate, caring and very accepting of everyone, but that she was also vulnerable and trusted anyone who showed her love. Amanda lived in Saskatoon and The Pas before moving to Winnipeg in March 1996, shortly before her disappearance. The Winnipeg Police Service Missing Person's Unit, The Pas RCMP and the RCMP Historical Case Unit worked on Amanda's disappearance before Project Devote took it over. Dear Amanda, I wish you would come home. I wish you would come back and fix what your disappearance has broken. Mom's heartache is unbearable to witness, and there are no words to console her grieving heart. Not only does she carry grief, but anger, guilt and helplessness. These emotions are heavy on her and it weighs her down in every way, mentally, physically and spiritually. Your memory is powerful and it eats our mother alive from the inside out. When you were stolen from us, Amanda, you took a part of each of us with you and replaced it with an emptiness of unanswered questions and the not-knowing is excruciating. If only you would come home. Your presence alone would be like a gift from God. A gift that would mend broken hearts, broken relationships, and a broken family. We all miss you, sister, and there is nothing or no one who can replace you. In my heart I know we will be together again, if not in this world then in the spirit world. Till then Amanda, We love you. Love Always, Your sisters and brother Project Devote, the Manitoba task force of the Winnipeg Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police focusing on missing and murdered exploited person's investigations, encourages anyone who can provide information about what happened to Amanda to contact police. Project Devote is eager to hear from you. If you have information that can help with this investigation, call investigators on the Project Devote tipline at 1-888-673-3316 or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Project Devote AMANDA SOPHIA BARTLETT First off, I'd like to congratulate the lovely couple Shaneen Robinson and Martin Desjarlais on their impending nuptials. Their wedding social was well attended by some of the brightest and best looking the Indigenous community has to offer. Photo: Doug Thomas "We are so grateful to everyone for their love and support. We thank you all for coming out to help us raise funds for our upcoming wedding. It means the world to us and our son." Life Celebrations Announce your celebration in the First Nations Voice Whether it's a birthday, engagement, anniversary or other happy event. Big or small, they're all perfect reasons to celebrate. You supply the picture and a 10-15 word message. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY LOVE ALL OF US $125 ONLY PLUS TAX. PREPAID. To place your ad contact Barb Borden at 204-697-7389 or barb.borden@winnipegfreepress.com