It has been 16 years since the murder of Tanya Jean Brooks, a tragic event that still impacts her community. The 36-year-old woman from Millbrook First Nation was discovered dead in a window well of the St. Patrick's-Alexandra School located in Downtown Halifax on May 11, 2009. Authorities suspect that Tanya knew her assailants and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation.

The provincial Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program has placed a $150,000 reward for tips that could help identify the suspect(s) in her case. Tanya had been known to frequent the Gottingen Street area, and her movements on the evening before her death are known to police. She left the Halifax Regional Police Headquarters around 8:20 p.m. on May 10, 2009, and was traceable until approximately 9 p.m. that night. However, there exists a significant gap in the timeline between 9 p.m. on May 10 and 2:20 p.m. on May 11 when her body was found. Despite canvassing the area, police have not uncovered any direct clues regarding her death.

Officials have emphasized that it is never too late for individuals to come forward, stressing that even the smallest piece of information could significantly advance the investigation. Each year, Tanya's sister, Vanessa Brooks, organizes a memorial to honor her sister's memory. During the 10-year anniversary of Tanya's death, Vanessa described her sister as "kind, loving, an amazing mom, a talented artist," and remarked on her vibrant personality.

Red Dress Day

The memorial for Tanya coincides with Red Dress Day, an annual national day of remembrance and activism that began in 2010, aimed at raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada. The ongoing prevalence of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people has underscored the critical nature of this initiative.

According to Amnesty International Canada, Indigenous women and girls are **two times more likely to be murdered** than their non-Indigenous counterparts and represent approximately 25 percent of all homicide victims, while constituting merely 5 percent of the population. This stark disparity highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and action regarding the safety and rights of Indigenous individuals in Canada.

With files from CityNews’ Josh Piercey