Calgarians rally, march for Sisters in Spirit
In honour of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people across Canada, the Sisters in Spirit Vigil took place along Stephen Avenue and Olympic Plaza on Tuesday.
It was the 19th such vigil held in Calgary, bringing together Awo Taan Healing Lodge elders, board and staff; families of murdered and missing women, girls and two-spirit people; police services; advocates; community leaders; and anyone else who wanted to take part.
"I think its important that we mourn together and not alone," said Samatha Robinson, a volunteer and member of the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth.
Attendees gathered at Third Street and Eighth Avenue S.W. and, following opening prayer, drumming and singing, the group marched the avenue to Olympic Plaza.
There, families of murdered and missing women, girls and two-spirit people addressed the crowd.
"It gives us more strength to be in the community. Being all together makes us feel more powerful – just here to gather and support the women that did go missing," said Amare Spotted Bull, also with the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth.
Organizers say the event is also about calling for justice for their loved ones, and calling for more action toward truth and reconciliation.
"There's just so many people who are suffering, who are hurting, who don't feel supported by the political system, by the justice system – and we've seen a lot of injustice happen," said Chantal Chagnon, co-chair of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit committee.
"We file police reports and nothing gets done. So today is important to say we need something done about this," said Robinson.
Tuesday's vigil was one of more than 300 expected to take place across Canada and internationally, as part of Sisters in Spirit Day.
The aim of the events, according to a release issued on Sunday, is 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 against Indigenous women," the release said.
"According to the public record, there are nearly 4,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada. We are over-represented and at a greater risk than the national average of homicide and violence."
"It's a very, very emotional day. It is a day we set aside as individuals to remember who they were to remember even their favourite songs, how they laughed, and how they're so missed," said Josie Nepinak, executive director of the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society.
"I have an aunt who was murdered in 1977, and we've never received any answers or have justice for her death. So I continue to honour her on this day to remember her spirit and that she was taken away from us far too soon."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.