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  • Highway of Tears

  • A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
  • Written by: Jessica McDiarmid
  • Narrated by: Emily Nixon
  • Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (524 ratings)

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Highway of Tears cover art

Highway of Tears

Written by: Jessica McDiarmid
Narrated by: Emily Nixon
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Publisher's Summary

A searing and revelatory account of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls of Highway 16, and an indictment of the society that failed them.

For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The highway is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.

Journalist Jessica McDiarmid meticulously investigates the devastating effect these tragedies have had on the families of the victims and their communities, and how systemic racism and indifference have created a climate where Indigenous women and girls are over-policed, yet under-protected. Through interviews with those closest to the victims - mothers and fathers, siblings and friends - McDiarmid provides an intimate, first-hand account of their loss and relentless fight for justice. Examining the historically fraught social and cultural tensions between settlers and Indigenous peoples in the region, McDiarmid links these cases to others across Canada - now estimated to number up to 4,000 - contextualizing them within a broader examination of the undervaluing of Indigenous lives in the country.

Highway of Tears is a powerful story about our ongoing failure to provide justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and a testament to their families and communities' unwavering determination to find it.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Jessica McDiarmid (P)2019 Doubleday Canada

Editorial Review

Follow journalist Jessica McDiarmid’s harrowing journey as she uncovers in this true crime audiobook the exploration of The Highway of Tears and a nation’s failure to protect Indigenous women.

British Columbia Highway 16, part of the Trans-Canada Highway, traverses greater Western Canada. Highway 16 also has a nickname with a dark undercarriage: The Highway of Tears. This stretch of roadway earned its tragic nickname due to the staggering number of disappearances and murders that happen to befall its travellers. What’s more, this Canadian highway has come to represent a national crisis—the callous indifference of Canadian authorities to the plight of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls.

In Highway of Tears, Canadian journalist Jessica McDiarmid dives deeply into the pursuit of justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Through rigorous investigation and intense interviews with the families of women and girls who have gone missing or whose bodies were found, McDiarmid positions the victims at the front of the conversation. She exposes the systemic problems plaguing Indigenous people in northwestern British Columbia and throughout Canada. With this, McDiarmid can connect the crimes against Indigenous women and girls on The Highway of Tears to other murdered indigenous women across the country.

Powerfully narrated by Emily Nixon, Highway of Tears is a compelling true story of systemic racism, the lack of protection and indifference towards Indigenous people, and the courage and unwavering determination of community members who continue to speak out and seek justice for their loved ones.

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Just get it. It's worth is.

As I realize now how close I came to being another name on that high. I take the time to remember the women that never for the finish there journey as I did and I thank the creater the universe and whatever lease kept me safe on the highway. This book pays tribute to these girls it's powerful and well written.

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9 people found this helpful

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A must read for Canadians

Another heart wrenching account of Canada's shameful history with racism and neglect. It's a must read to build the empathy required to heal our country from these wounds.

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7 people found this helpful

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Heartwrenching

Canadians who question the findings of the MMIW inquiry need to read this book. It is a poignant story that is told with care and compassion. The stories are well told allowing the reader to feel connected to each family and have great sympathy.

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7 people found this helpful

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Very good book

Eye opening book that goes far more in-depth than anything I've learnt before. this will change the average Canadians view if not entirely at least partially for the need for social change to prevent needless disturbing violence

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6 people found this helpful

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A Must Read/Listen

Extremely well written and narrated, this book passionately and empathetically captures the stories of so many women and girls who were lost in BC. It unbiasedly and thoroughly identifies many of the challenges still faced today by Canada’s Indigenous communities and is excellent for anyone wanting to better understand the cultural divide and history of abuse and discrimination that people have suffered from government, RCMP, and the general public.
Heartbreakingly spectacular.

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5 people found this helpful

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thank you

i so appreciate jessica mcdiarmid for documenting the family’s and women’s and girls stories… this was such an illuminating, emotional read. canada should be absolutely ashamed of the way they have treated indigenous women and people.

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4 people found this helpful

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A must read

This book was eye opening, enlightening and heartbreaking. An important read for any Canadian. Thank you, Jessica, for writing it.

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4 people found this helpful

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A Difficult Story to Hear

A very difficult story to hear. This book opened my eyes to the plight of indigenous people, especially women and girls, in Canada. The story is well told, however, it is difficult to follow along with all the dates and names provided as they are not necessarily in chronological order. But this book has provided great insight into the systemic racism that is still intrenched in Canadian culture.

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4 people found this helpful

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Well Researched, and Unforgettable.

I appreciated the background information, and the family stories on these girls, and women. Many times I had to stop listening, too collect myself before starting again.

A well researched look into the many ways we have failed our First Nation Sisters.

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3 people found this helpful

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Important read

Narrators voice and way of speaking is appropriate for this book. Everyone, especially Canadian's, should read this.

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2 people found this helpful