A reported 500 people attended a meeting in Prince George, British Columbia, to discuss the disappearances and deaths of young Native women along the "Highway of Tears."

Highway 16 runs between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Since 1990, nine young women, most of them Native, have died or disappeared on the road, with many in the Native community wondering if a serial killer is targeting Native women.

The most recent murder was of 14-year-old Aielah Katherina Saric. Her body was found on the outskirts of Prince George in February. A 24-year-old woman, Crystal Lee Okimaw, is also missing after last being seen in the city.

At the meeting, organized by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and attended by government officials, Natives called for a special police team to investigate missing persons cases.

Get the Story:
500 gather at 'highway of tears' symposium (CBC 3/31)
Heartbreak shared at 'highway of tears' symposium (CBC 3/30)

Relevant Links:
Highway of Tears - http://www.highwayoftears.ca

Related Stories:
Investigation into murder of 14-year-old Native girl (02/16)
Native woman's death being investigated as homicide (02/02)
Search for missing Native teen exhausts all leads (08/05)
Few leads reported in search for missing Native teen (07/26)
Video generates lead in case of missing Native teen (02/25)
Police release videotape of missing Native girl (2/22)
Daughter's disappearance destroys Native family (12/14)
Native women call attention to missing sisters (07/29)
Family hires investigator to help locate daughter (07/12)
Families seek help in locating missing Native teens (04/30)
Man. police seek help in locating missing teen (03/19)
Women's group calls attention to missing Native women (03/09)