Sisters in Spirit Vigil set for Sunday evening

By Lethbridge Herald on October 3, 2020.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

October 4 is a day to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit and LGBTQQIA people and support families who have been tragically touched by the loss of a loved one to violence.  

City council recently unanimously voted to proclaim Oct. 4 Sisters in Spirit Day.

The 14th annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil to honour the lives and raise awareness of the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, two-spirited in Canada will take place Sunday evening. Community members are invited to join a walk from city hall starting at 6:30 p.m. to Galt Gardens where a candlelit vigil will take place. The vigil will be live streamed via the Lethbridge Sisters in Spirit Facebook page.

“In Canada, statistics show that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women in Canada,” according to Commissioner Michèle Audette, in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Volume 1a.

The families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls — these “Stolen Sisters” — have struggled for decades to draw attention to the violence faced by women and girls in their communities and to receive justice for their loved ones.

Local organizers will have disposable masks and hand sanitizer available on site and participants are urged to bring blankets and chairs in case the weather is cool. Attendees are requested to wear face masks and engage in physical distancing during the vigil.

For those who cannot attend, they are encouraged to light a candle in their window if possible.

More than 100 vigils are being held in communities from coast to coast, to honour the lives of missing and murdered First Nations, Inuit, Métis, women, girls, two spirit and LGBTQQIA people, as well as support grieving families and provide opportunities for healing.  

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