Sisters in Spirit Vigils

Each year, family members, Indigenous community members, and concerned citizens gather for a vigil on October 4 to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Vigils take place in many communities across Canada as well as internationally. These gatherings, which have taken place for over 15 years, raise awareness and support families who have lost a loved one.

OSSTF/FEESO has been a long-time supporter of the vigils and upholding the 231 calls to justice recommended in the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The federal government has committed to creating a national Action Plan by June 2020 to transform the Calls for Justice into concrete actions but has delayed the creation of the plan. The violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Canada is genocide. We must continue to demand action on an issue that affects all women and girls.

In light of COVID-19, this year, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) will hold a live-streaming virtual vigil on October 4, 2021, at 2 p.m. The webcast will be streamed from their Facebook page.

OSSTF/FEESO is encouraging all members to take action on October 4 to end violence against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women, girls, and two-spirit people. Please remember that if you are holding or attending a live event to make sure that you maintain safe physical distancing and keep gatherings small, respecting your local health recommendations.

If you are hosting your own community vigil/event, register your event to receive a Vigil Kit (balloons, flags, and pins).

To register your event, please send an email with your name and mailing address.

Other ways you can show your support:

• Light a candle in your home window this evening.
• Change 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 image for your Twitter and Instagram profile pics
• Tag the Native Women’s Association of Canada on Twitter with @NWAC_CA and on Facebook with @NWAC.AFAC
• Share your photos or videos of your SIS Vigil on social media using the hashtags #SISVigils and #MMIWG.