'They are people': Memorial pays tribute to those who lost their lives on the streets of Moncton
The names and faces of dozens of people who lived and lost their lives on the streets of Moncton, N.B., are currently memorialized in a downtown mural.
Sabrina Robichaud has been struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder for a decade.
Sabrina Robichaud created a memorial to provide a space where people can sit and talk and share memories of people who lost their lives on the streets of Moncton, N.B.
Originally from Nova Scotia, Robichaud wanted to build a tribute for Moncton-area friends she’s lost over the years.
According to Robichaud, many of the 128 people on the wall didn’t have obituaries or funerals.
“That's not right,” said Robichaud. “They are human. They are people. We might have went down the wrong roads that people didn't want us to go down, but we all have our struggles. We all have our traumas and we all have different paths.”
It started out modestly about a week ago, but within a few days the memorial has grown with more and more tributes.
“Somebody came up and looked at a photo and said, ‘He's gone?’ He didn't know his best friend was gone,” said Robichaud.
“I had a mother not even know her child was gone because he was on the streets.”
Charlie Burrell is the founder of The Humanity Project, an organization that helps feed, clothe, rehabilitate and give homeless people another chance in life.
The mural is right next door to his downtown location.
“It’s a stark reminder, even for me. I know 95 per cent of those names on the list and to see all those names compiled on a list, it's sad. Especially when I see the ones that wanted help. They don't deserve to be on that list. They wanted a better life,” said Burrell.
According to the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee, 21 members of the city's homeless population have died so far in 2024. Thirteen of those have been by overdose.
Homeless advocate John Renton also knew many of the faces on the wall. He hopes the mural will bring more attention to the city's homelessness and drug crisis.
“I mostly see a grin and I remember funny little details of how I knew that person and some silliness. That's what I try to focus on, but there's a lot of sorrow there as well,” said Renton.
Lee Banfield writes on a memorial for people who lost their lives on the streets of Moncton, N.B.
Robichaud’s friend Lee Banfield had a hard time describing what the mural meant to her.
“There's no words for it really. Our friends, our loved ones that we've all lost. It's hard,” said Banfield. “It doesn’t get better.”
Robichaud has been on the streets for about six months now, but is seeking affordable housing.
The 29-year-old started the mural to create a space where people can sit and talk and share memories.
She doesn't want to see anymore of her friends end up on the fence.
“I'm just worried about who's going to be the next on the list and it scares me every day,” said Robichaud.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.