Noreen Agnew is determined to honor her 17-year-old daughter’s memory by organizing a healing walk along Highway 11 to highlight pedestrian safety concerns. Tragically, Markenna Agnew lost her life on November 28, 2025, after being hit by a transport truck while walking from Long Lake #58 First Nation to Longlac in northwestern Ontario, where her family resides.
The only means of travel between Long Lake #58 First Nation and Longlac is on foot, a journey of approximately three kilometers along the highway. Noreen and her husband rushed to Markenna after discovering her nighttime walk, but they arrived too late as she was already being attended to by emergency services.
Markenna, a student at Migizi Miigwanan Secondary School in Long Lake #58, was known for her strong-willed nature, helpfulness at home, and ambitious plans for the future. Her untimely death has left her family grappling with unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the accident.
An ongoing investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North West Region is yet to yield any charges in connection with Markenna’s tragedy. In response to the incident, the First Nation community swiftly mobilized efforts to advocate for improved highway safety, aided by support from the municipality of Greenstone.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has taken immediate action to enhance safety measures along Highway 11, including the installation of speed display radar signs, pavement marking upgrades, and intensified enforcement efforts. Collaboration with Long Lake #58 First Nation is ongoing to implement further safety enhancements and potentially lower the speed limit in the area.
Long-term plans involve the construction of a pedestrian crossing and walking path between Long Lake #58 and Longlac, with support from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Greenstone Mayor James McPherson stressed the need to address safety concerns urgently, considering the growing traffic volume and historical safety issues along the highway.
A community walk in memory of Markenna, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET, will symbolically complete her journey home, starting at the First Nation and concluding in Longlac. Participants will pay tribute to Markenna at the accident site before gathering for a community feast.
As the anniversary of Markenna’s passing approaches, Noreen aims to raise awareness and funds for a highway safety billboard to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Her unwavering commitment stems from a desire to ensure that no parent experiences the heartbreaking loss of a child again.
