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Sisters in Spirit Virtual Vigil rescheduled to October 7, 2021

Due to Facebook technical issues the Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Vigil that was to be held on October 4, 2021 has been rescheduled to October 7, 2021. Communities across Canada will have the opportunity to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people.

Ottawa (05 Oct. 2021) — Due to Facebook technical issues the Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Vigil that was to be held on October 4, 2021 has been rescheduled to October 7, 2021. Communities across Canada will have the opportunity to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. Family members, concerned citizens and community members gather to provide support to those who have lost a loved one and to raise awareness of the issue.

In light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, once again NWAC will hold a live-streaming Virtual Vigil on October 7, 2021, at 12 pm (EST).

Sisters in Spirit Initiative

SIS began as a research, education and policy initiative led by Indigenous women. The initiative tracks and investigates the case of violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. It works closely with families to document their lived experiences and adopt their recommendations.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has partnered with SIS to develop a number of projects such as the Faceless Doll Project. These projects are intended to educate the public on the issue and about the ongoing marginalization that Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people encounter.

Ways to show support

Along with attending the virtual vigil, Canadians can show their support by

  • attending a Sisters in Spirit Vigil event
  • lighting a candle in your home window on this evening.
  • changing your social media avatar to a commemorative graphic.
    • Facebook frame — Go to your profile on the Facebook app and tap “Edit” on your profile picture. Then tap “Add Frame.” Search for “Sisters in Spirit.”
    • Use this Sisters in Spirit Vigil image for your Twitter and Instagram profile pics.
  • downloading NWAC’s heart images and writing a message of strength, hope, and memorial to honour and celebrate Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people on it. After filling out a heart, you can create a display of all the messages on a wall or window. Share your heart on social media with the hashtag #SISVigils. Tag NWAC on Twitter at @NWAC_CA and Facebook at Native Women’s Association of Canada.
    Red heart White heart
  • sharing your photos or videos of your SIS Vigil with NWAC on social media using the hashtags #SISVigils and #MMIWG. Tag NWAC on Twitter at @NWAC_CA and Facebook at Native Women’s Association of Canada. NWAC wants to share the impact and support of the SIS Vigil movement.

Safe Passage

NWAC has developed a new project called Safe Passage, which is intended to help people learn more about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. The project, led by Indigenous women, is the first of its kind and has a national database, dedicated research and educational tools.

NUPGE encourages members and Canadians to demand action by attending vigils

The National Union and its Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues has worked for nearly 2 decades to highlight the national tragedy of the hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and Two Spirit people. NUPGE is again encouraging its members and all Canadians to participate in the Sisters in Spirit vigils to honour those that have been lost and to demand action to end this national tragedy.