WHITEHORSE, YT – The sacred fire was lit at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre today, as those who took part in the The Sisters in Spirit walk and vigil arrived for prayer and to share a community meal.
Sisters in Spirit vigils happen annually across the country, inspired by the original 2004 Sisters in Spirit initiative by the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Now, they’re organized grassroots by local Indigenous women’s organizations, each one meant to honor the lives of all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirit and Gender Diverse Peoples.
Two walks had taken place across the territory today, one in Dawson City, and on here in Whitehorse, both coinciding with others taking place nation wide.
The Whitehorse walk, organized by the Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council, saw supporters gather on the steps of Whitehorse RCMP Detachment on 4th Avenue for speeches on the importance of treating the deaths and disappearances of Indigenous peoples as the crimes they are, and with the gravity they deserve.
‘We all gather at the RCMP station, kind of as a remembrance that these are the things that have happened to these women and girls and gender diverse people. They are a crime and they need to be, you know, held accountable for what’s happened.’ – Anna Barley, Acting Executive Director of The Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council
Anna Barley, The Aboriginal Women’s Council’s Acting Executive Director, notes that the conversation surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has recently expanded to also honor the lives of the many missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.
