The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) began the ‘Sisters in Spirit’ program as an initiative to analysis and doc the statistics of violence towards Indigenous girls in Canada.
On Oct. 4, 2006, the primary ‘Sisters in Spirit’ occasion introduced collectively communities to host simultaneous vigils throughout Canada, calling for motion to deal with the problems affecting this marginalized group.
To honour that day, quite a few community-based organizations host annual occasions and proceed to champion their causes and assist the households of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.
Many vigils this 12 months will likely be held nearly because of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Heather Shepard, Regina Police Service cultural relations officer says “It will be significant that the police proceed to indicate their assist for the Indigenous group.
The Cultural & Neighborhood Range Unit committee reached out to RPS Elders they usually determined to arrange a stroll for the complete group to honour missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.”
The stroll began simply outdoors Regina police headquarters. Contributors walked alongside the streets of downtown Regina sporting sweaters with messages on their backs and holding framed photos of their lacking and murdered family members.
Additionally they carried 41 roses tied with a purple ribbon to honour the entire missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls from Regina. On the finish of the stroll, every rose was laid on the Place of Reflection on the RCMP Heritage Centre and Elder Diane Kaiswatum provided a prayer.
Brenda Dubois who participated within the occasion to honour her grandmother and her cousin says “Occasions like this can proceed to spotlight that we’re right here and that we’re part of this place. People shouldn’t be going lacking. It has to cease.”
Going ahead, Regina Police Service hope to make this stroll an annual occasion on Oct. 4 to coincide with ‘Sisters in Spirit’ vigils. They need the complete group, not simply the Indigenous members, to participate in honouring missing and murdered Indigenous people.
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