Women march for Sisters in Spirit Day

A number of Sudburians took to the street Oct. 4 in a vigil to honour the lives of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

The local event was part of the sixth annual Sister in Spirit Vigil and one of 129 vigils held across the country. Participants pay tribute to the families of these women, who insist the lives of their loved ones not be forgotten, according to a news release.

Organizers also use the vigils as an opportunity to demand action from all levels of government, asking that they work with Aboriginal women and representative organizations to end the violence.

Sisters in Spirit was originally launched by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), and the vigils are held in partnership with Amnesty International Canada, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice, National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).

Vigils take many forms: a rally, a candlelight vigil, a workshop, a moment of silence, a walk, or a gathering of people to share memories and a meal.

In Sudbury, participants started their walk at N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre before making their way to city hall where Oct. 4 was proclaimed Sisters in Spirit Day in Sudbury. The event then moved back to N'Swakamok with an exhibition of local Aboriginal artists, drumming and a feast.