Sisters in Spirit Vigil
We honour the lives and raise awareness of the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, two spirited in Canada
Date
October 4, annually
What to Expect
6:30pm - Welcome & gathering at City Hall -
910 4th Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta
6:45pm - Street march to Galt Gardens
via 4th Avenue & 5th Street South
7:00pm - Vigil starts at Galt Gardens -
3rd Avenue & 5th Street South
Vigil candles at entry to Galt Gardens
Warm beverages available
Dress for the weather
VIRTUAL OPTION:
October 4th is a day where we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirited (MMIWG2S). The violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada is a national tragedy.
Family members, Indigenous community members, and concerned citizens gather for a vigil every October 4th to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Vigils take place in many communities across Canada as well as internationally. These gatherings serve to raise awareness and to provide support to families who have lost a loved one.
We must take time to stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones and honour their memory - our reason for demanding continued action.
TAKE ACTION!
Read the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice directed to all people in Canada.
Write a letter to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, calling on her to create a National Action Plan to end violence against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women, girls, and two-spirit persons now!
Check out Amnesty's social media feeds (Facebook & Twitter) on October 4th - share these posts on your social media feeds.
Read the 8 Calls for Justice for every person in Canada
Within every encounter, each person has a role to play in order to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
We call on all Canadians to:
Denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
Decolonize by learning the true history of Canada and Indigenous history in your local area. Learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ history, cultures, pride, and diversity, acknowledging the land you live on and its importance to local Indigenous communities, both historically and today.
Develop knowledge and read the Final Report. Listen to the truths shared, and acknowledge the burden of these human and Indigenous rights violations, and how they impact Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people today.
Using what you have learned and some of the resources suggested, become a strong ally. Being a strong ally involves more than just tolerance; it means actively working to breakdown barriers and to support others in every relationship and encounter in which you participate.
Confront and speak out against racism, sexism, ignorance, homophobia, and transphobia, and teach or encourage others to do the same, wherever it occurs: in your home, in your workplace, or in social settings.
Protect, support, and promote the safety of women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people by acknowledging and respecting the value of every person and every community, as well as the right of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people to generate their own, self-determined solutions.
Create time and space for relationships based on respect as human beings, supporting and embracing differences with kindness, love, and respect. Learn about Indigenous principles of relationship specific to those Nations or communities in your local area and work, and put them into practice in all of your relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
Help hold all governments accountable to act on the Calls for Justice, and to implement them according to the important principles we set out.
