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Images of Sisters in Spirit Vigils across Canada from 2006-2010.
Vigils to end violence against Aboriginal women
Every October 4th, Amnesty International partners with the Native Women’s Association of Canada, KAIROS, the National Association of Friendship Centers, the Canadian Federation of Students and others to call for an end to violence and discrimination against Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
Across the country, vigils are held to commemorate and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The vigils are held to remember the lives of Indigenous women and to call for justice and action from the Canadian government to ensure the safety and protection of Indigenous women and the communities they live in.
From Halifax, NS, to Prince George, BC, community members have gathered to pray, sing, drum, smudge, share a meal, march or light a candle in memory of friends, sisters, daughters, mothers, aunts and grand-mothers that have experienced violence. The vigils, which started in 2006, brought over 80 communities together in 2010 alone.
Details for 2011 vigils:
The vigil in Prince George, BC will be held on October 4th at 2pm at the Outdoor Civic Centre Plaza in honour of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls and as a call to action to end violence against Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. Contact nkingsmith@pgnfc.com for more information.
The Sisters in Spirit vigil in Lethbridge, AB will be held at Galt Gardens at 7pm on October 4th. The event will honour and raise public awareness about missing and murdered Aboriginal women and call for an end to violence against women.
A candle lighting vigil on October 4th will take place at the Beatty House in downtown Rimbey, AB starting at 7:30pm. Join in a bonfire, light a candle and sign a petition for the protection of Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.
In Edmonton, AB the Sisters in Spirit rally will be held on October 8 to honour the missing women and show support to their families & friends. The rally will start at 1pm at the Alex Taylor School Gymnasium (9321 Jasper Ave), followed by a walk at 2pm. For more information contact stolensistersawareness@hotmail.com.
On October 4th a vigil will be held at the Oskayak High School in Saskatoon, SK from 6-9pm in collaboration with Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik, Amnesty International and KAP House of Friends. Take part in a march, enjoy refreshments and join in solidarity with Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. For more information contact iskwewukoct2005@hotmail.com.
Share in this year’s vigil activities on October 4th in Regina, SK to remember Indigenous women and to demand their protection by the Canadian government. The vigil will be held in Victoria Park at 6:30pm where all are encouraged to attend.
In Winnipeg, MB a vigil in honour of missing and murdered women will be held on October 8. The vigil will call for an end to all forms of violence and will take place at the Manitoba Legislative Building from 7-10pm. Find out more about the vigil and get involved on Facebook.
On October 4th show your support at the Sisters in Spirit 6th annual vigil in honour of over 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. The event will take place on 21 Rosedene Avenue in Hamilton, ON from 10am to noon and will include speakers, singing, drumming, roll call, and refreshments. For more information contact Kelly at 905-664-1114 ext 238.
Participate in the Toronto, ON Sisters in Spirit Vigil in Allen Gardens Park from 7-9pm. Enjoy the stories of inspirational speakers, a performance by Faith Nolan and the Morning Butterfly Singers and sign a solidarity banner calling for action from the Canadian government to end violence against Indigenous women.
In Ottawa, ON the annual vigil will be held on October 4th at 10:30am at Parliament Hill. Speakers will include family members of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Following the vigil, everyone is invited to walk to Victoria Island for a feast and social justice fair to take action and learn more.
Join Amnesty International to call for an end to violence against Indigenous women.
To find a vigil in your community, visit the Native Women’s Association of Canada website. There you can register a vigil in your community and receive a toolkit to help you prepare for the event. For more details or assistance, contact lmossman@amnesty.ca
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Activists in Winnipeg Take Action
On September 25, October 1 and October 3 volunteers in Winnipeg, MB created a human billboard with t-shirts that spelled out “NO MORE STOLEN SISTERS.” They took their flash mob around the city, including to the Oct. 4 vigil. The action was organized by the Stop Violence Against Aboriginal Women Action Group, with artist Leah Decter.
Updated: 2 August 2011