Marking Sisters in Spirit Day
The City of Vaughan has proclaimed Tuesday, Oct. 4 as Sisters in Spirit Day. It
is a day of somber reflection to honour the lives of missing and murdered
Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada. In commemoration,
the City is holding a Spirit Vigil in the Courtyard at Vaughan City Hall,
beginning at 6 p.m. Members of the community are encouraged to attend.
The outdoor event will feature Valarie King of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who will lead the public vigil. She will speak to the history of the day, educate on its importance, how to take action and more. The focus is on providing a space to recognize and remember the missing and lost Indigenous lives, supporting grieving families, offering opportunities for healing and raising awareness.
The Spirit Vigil is also being held as part of the City’s annual Culture Days – a free, national event bringing the community together to celebrate diversity, artistic and cultural endeavours and the spirit of togetherness.
In case of inclement weather, the Spirit Vigil will move inside City Hall to the Vaughan Room.
Learn more about the Spirit Vigil on the City’s Indigenous relations and reconciliation webpage.
About Sisters in Spirit Day
Everyone has the right to be safe and free from violence. Since the onset of colonialism, Indigenous women have faced life-threatening, gender-based violence and disproportionately experience violent crimes because of hatred and racism. For years, First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities have called attention to the alarming number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada. On Oct. 4, 2006, the first Sisters in Spirit Vigil was organized as a collaboration between the Native Women’s Association of Canada, Amnesty International Canada and KAIROS Canada. It has since become an annual day for remembrance and awareness.
To learn more, please visit the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
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