It has been a long journey for the family of Roxanne Louie, but with last night鈥檚 guilty verdict in the trial of her murderer, they are hoping to start the healing process.

鈥淚t will take some time for us to adjust. We have lived with this tragedy for two-plus years now and we are looking forward to moving on,鈥� said Dan Wilson, Roxanne鈥檚 uncle. 鈥淣ow our focus is on making sure that Roxanne鈥檚 son is going to be well taken care of, brought up, be taught the difference between right and wrong and that he enjoys his childhood.

鈥淭hat is what Roxanne would have wanted.鈥�

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The Okanagan Nation Alliance issued a press release praising how the Louie and Hall family have endured more than two years of arduous judicial processes and litigation in regards to the murder trial of Louie.

鈥淚n the face of these challenges they have found the strength and resiliency to persevere,鈥� reads the release, extending the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) deepest sympathy and support to the families who continue to go through the process of healing from such great loss.

鈥淛ustice here is found in both the verdict, as well as in the capacity of family and community to come together and support one another through the process of healing from such trauma.鈥�

Wilson said the family is generally pleased with the verdict, but was hurt by how Roxanne and her mother Beverly, who died in a motor vehicle incident last year, 鈥渨ere painted in the worst possible light.鈥�

鈥淭hey鈥檙e not here to defend themselves,鈥� said Wilson, adding that he sees that as a fault with the legal system. 鈥淲e are glad to see that the jury was able to see through all that and come out with the verdict that they did.鈥�

Grace Robotti was found guilty of second degree murder, at 9 p.m. Thursday (April 6) after a day of deliberations.

鈥淚t is time for healing now. Every time there was a court appearance it brought Roxanne鈥檚 death right back to the forefront,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淲e miss Roxanne every day. She was a caring, loving person and a wonderful mother. That is how we would like her to be remembered.鈥�

鈥淥ur hearts go out to our families and communities who have been so deeply affected by this tragedy, yet we recognize that a true sense of justice will never be served by a court. Though a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women was launched by the federal government these gestures must be met with meaningful action,鈥� said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.

Phillip said violence against women has been an issue for a long time, taking on a different dimension when it comes to indigenous women and how they are viewed in the larger society.

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鈥淭he attitude of policing agencies has always been very dismissive. Police agencies are always suggesting the woman is out there partying and will turn up. In this case she showed up murdered,鈥� said Phillip.

Phillip said they are hoping the national inquiry will continue to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women, in particular violence against indigenous women and girls, and will come forward with concrete suggestions that will 鈥渋nstruct the criminal justice branch and the police agencies to be far more diligent in their efforts to investigate these matters 鈥� not to simply set them aside.鈥�

Phillip said the justice system needs to start sending stronger signals.

鈥淭here has to be severe consequences for all cases of violence against women, particularly against indigenous women and girls. Otherwise, these situations will continue,鈥� said Phillip, noting that he has two daughters and six granddaughters.

鈥淚t鈥檚 got to be part of our social responsibilities. And, we have to be consistent in condemning those kind of actions.鈥�

The ONA says the verdict is not a final step in the healing process.

鈥淭hough this verdict is a part of moving towards justice for Roxanne, it is important to highlight the systemic discrimination, racism and oppression that continues to be placed on indigenous peoples and communities through such legal cases as these,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淲e want to thank the jury for the sacrifice and hard work in dealing with these difficult issues.鈥�

The ONA hopes the many missing and murdered indigenous women are found, preferably safe, and that such cases as these may set a precedent to deter future perpetrators of such violent acts.

鈥淲e cannot look for justice here, we will have justice when we walk on our own path, our own road,鈥� said Roxanne鈥檚 father Roger Hall, speaking to the indigenous experience in Canada.