The 16th Annual Strawberry Ceremony Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The 16th Annual Strawberry Ceremony Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will be held on February 14, 2021. The Strawberry Ceremony recognizes that strawberries are out of season during February, but the violence women and girls are experiencing is also a disruption in Indigenous communities.

The February 14 ceremony is an opportunity to grieve the loss of beloved sisters and remember the women who are still missing.

This year, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, there will be no in-person gathering, but instead, we will Gather Prayers, Not People during the live-streaming Facebook event on Sunday, February 14 at 12:30 p.m., where Elder Wanda Whitebird will be offering prayers. It will be a time to come together to share the grief of not being able to sing, drum, and gather in-person.

Please take time on February 14 to honour the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and two-spirit people, and their families in your own way.

The No More Silence organization has offered the following ways to show your support:

• Offer tobacco in a space that is meaningful to you (ex. park, water, yard);
• Take a moment on February 14 to pray for the safety of Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans and Two-Spirit Peoples, and for those who are missing to return home;
• Say the names of loved ones that have been lost;
• Share a photo of what you are doing to mark the Strawberry Ceremony remotely to honour families, raise awareness, and fight to put an end to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans and Two-Spirit People (MMIWGT2S);
• Tune in to the live videos shared in the Strawberry Ceremony Facebook event; and,
• Eat a strawberry.

Sponsors and individuals are strongly encouraged to donate to any of the following initiatives:

• Families of Sisters in Spirit
• Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin—They Feed the People
• NaMeRes