Calgary 18th Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil
On Monday, October 4, Calgary will host the 18th Annual “Sister In Spirit Vigil”. Awo Taan Healing Lodge Elders, Board and staff, Families of missing and murdered women and girls, Calgary City Police Services, Advocates, Calgary Community Leaders and Members of the Public will gather to honour Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) from across Canada.
This year, the theme is “Reclaiming Power & Place”
We will commence at 11:15 a.m. at 3rd Street & 8th (Stephen) Avenue with an Opening Prayer, Traditional Drumming and Singing.
The march will commence at 11:30 a.m. proceeding down 8th (Stephen) Avenue from 3rd Street to Olympic Plaza arriving at 12:00 p.m. (Noon).
The Gathering officially begins at Olympic Plaza 12:00 p.m. (Noon) with opening ceremony, songs, drumming and speeches from families who have lost loved ones. The Program will feature Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, special guest speakers, and traditional Indigenous drummers and singers. This year will also feature an honouring Ceremony for the Honourable Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
More than 300 vigils will take place across Canada and internationally. Sisters in Spirit Vigils is a national movement that encourages all Canadians to come together to honor the lives of the many missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls and offer support to families who have been tragically touched by loss due to violence. This event aims to honour the humanity of the thousands of women who have been so cruelly wrenched from their families. Family members of Calgary and area victims will be in attendance to share their stories, along with other community members.
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We gather to bring awareness for increased safety, justice, recognition of our Human Rights and to support the public call for the announced national inquiry. Our goal and wish is to initiate open dialogue with our governments, to take action and reduce the alarming rates of violence of against Indigenous women. According to the public record there are nearly 4000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirit people in Canada. We are over- represented and at greater risk than the national average of homicide and violence.
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We call to action all levels of government to work with Indigenous peoples for a transparent and successful national inquiry and action plan. We call on all members of the community to walk with us in a peaceful march, gathering and ceremony to remember our missing and murdered loved ones. This event will provide a forum for healing, reconciliation, collaborative dialogue and commitment at all levels.
Links:
Awo Taan Website – https://www.awotaan.org/
Awo Taan Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/awotaan/
Sisters in Spirit – http://www.nwac.ca/sisters-spirit
Event Details:
18th Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil
“Reclaiming Power & Place”
Monday, October 4, 2021
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Gather @ 3rd Street & 8th (Stephen) Avenue
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
March down 8th (Stephen) Avenue from 3rd Street to Olympic Plaza
12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Sisters in Spirit Vigil at Olympic Plaza
Opening Ceremony, Songs and Speakers
Media Contacts:
Chantal Chagnon
Cree8 Calgary / Sisters In Spirit / MMIW Co-Chair / Valentines’ Day Memorial March Organizer
Chantal@Cree8.ca
403-404-7664
Michelle Robinson
Sisters In Spirit / MMIW Co-Chair
michelle.yycdene@gmail.com
403-467-0856
Elder Jackie Bromley
Awo Taan Healing Lodge / Sisters in Spirit / MMIW Co-Chair
jackieb@awotaan.org
403-993-8375