Family, friends and neighbours filled the grounds in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina Thursday evening to remember Rebecca Autumn (Wilson) Mathieson and to demand justice. The gathering brought candles, hand-lettered signs and song as those who loved her spoke about her humour, creativity and presence.
Holding space in the heart of the city
People gathered under the soft glow of candlelight and the shadow of the dome to sing and to call attention to the broader crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. Attendees draped signs across the lawn and joined in a performance of Strong Women's Song by the Ode'min Kwe Singers.
Mathieson's sister, Katie Wilson, described her sibling as someone who brightened the lives around her. "Becky was just like a light in the world," she said, adding that her sister's laugh often came as a way to get through the hard parts of life. Family members repeatedly emphasised Mathieson's creativity and her sense of humour.
"It's a lot of crying," Katie Wilson said, reflecting on grief shared with family and community.
What happened
Police say Mathieson was found seriously injured in an alleyway outside her mother's home in Regina in the early morning hours of Aug. 14. She was taken to hospital and later died from her injuries on Aug. 30. Regina Police Service have characterised the death as a homicide and an investigation is ongoing.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Mathieson found seriously injured | Aug. 14 |
| Mathieson dies in hospital | Aug. 30 |
| Vigil at Legislative Building | Sept. 10 (reported) |
Community response and calls for action
Organisers and attendees used the vigil to centre Mathieson's life and to press for accountability in cases involving Indigenous women and girls. The gathering served both as a memorial and as a public reminder that families are seeking answers.
- Attendees lit candles and placed signs on the lawn.
- The Ode'min Kwe Singers performed Strong Women's Song.
- Family members shared memories and urged justice for Mathieson and other victims.
Mathieson's mother and sister spoke at the event about her personality and the pain of the family's loss. Several people at the vigil highlighted the deeper, ongoing pattern of violence that affects Indigenous communities across the country and in Saskatchewan.
The Regina Police Service continues to investigate Mathieson's death as a homicide. No further details about the investigation or potential suspects have been released publicly at this time.
As this case proceeds, the vigil underscored how Regina residents seek both remembrance and action — a call echoed by families who want clarity, accountability and safer communities. The memorial on the Legislative grounds was a small but visible expression of that demand.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Regina Police Service. Community members planning gatherings or outreach in response to this death have indicated they will continue to hold space for family and to keep public attention on the case.
