By Evan Armstrong

Annual vigil to remember, honour Indigenous women

Oct 2, 2018 | 4:34 PM

The fifth annual Sisters in Spirit walk and candlelight vigil will be happening on Thursday.

The event was launched by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, and takes place across the country.

“They created the Sisters in Spirit Campaign in March 2004 to raise awareness of the alarmingly high rates of violence against Indigenous women in Canada,” says Red Deer Sisters in Spirit Organizer Teresa Cardinal.

The vigil includes a walk, starting at the Red Deer Native Friendship Society, past City Hall and finishing at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery.

“We have drumming that happens, we start our walk with smudge and prayer from one of our elders in the community, and at the end of the walk we usually have someone talk about their relative that has been missing or murdered,” describes Cardinal.

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“A lot of people will come and walk for their sister, their daughter, their grandmother, their mother. It’s just a night of solidarity, and honour and support.”

Cardinal also says that the night is not only about awareness, but about supporting those that have tragically lost a mother, sister or daughter due to violence.

The vigil and walk starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Red Deer Native Friendship Society (4808 51 Avenue). Candles will be provided and Cardinal reminds people to dress for the weather.