Vigil honours missing and murdered Aboriginal women

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: OCTOBER4TH.CA
Each year on October 4 communities across Canada come together to honour the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

October 4 is a day to reflect and remember. It's a day when the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls are honoured, and a time to lend extra support to the families of those women and girls.

October 4 marks the seventh annual Sisters In Spirit Vigil, which has grown from 11 cities in 2006 and spread to dozens more each year.

"No other event in Canada brings so many Aboriginal communities and Canadian citizens together to specifically celebrate, honour and support Aboriginal women and girls," said Native Women's Association of Canada President Michèle Audette.

Over 100 Sisters In Spirit Vigils have been registered across Canada for October 4, and locally, the London and Middlesex Coordinating Committees to End Violence Against Women is organizing a rally and march in honour of the vigil.

Attendees will gather at At^lohsa Native Family Healing Services Inc. (343 Richmond St.) for a rally at 1 p.m., and starting at 2 p.m. will walk along Dundas Street to My Sister's Place (566 Dundas St.) to hear speakers and hold a vigil.

For more information about the Sisters In Spirit Vigil, visit october4th.ca. You can also check out the Native Women's Association of Canada website at nwac.ca to learn more.

On October 1, The Fanshawe College First Nations Centre will be hosting an information booth in support of the Sisters In Spirit Vigil. The booth will be located in F Hallway (in front of the Bookstore). Representatives will be on hand to better inform the public about this very important topic that ultimately affects everyone. The event is intended to raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women in Canada and the Sisters in Spirit events.