Sisters in Spirit

Akwesasne has joined forces in bringing awareness to violence against men, women and children. On October 4th, 2008 at 6pm we join Aboriginal communities all across Canada and we invite the Community of Akwesasne to come and show your support, to acknowledge those who have been murdered, gone missing, and to bring awareness to those who live with violence and abuse. We will gather at the Peace Tree Mall on Cornwall Island to peacefully honor these issues, come and listen to our elders and youth speak out against violence and abuse, light a candle in memory of loved ones.

“In 2007 we had a successful event, many gathered to show their support and acknowledged those who were murdered, they also came to show support for those who remain in abusive and violent homes, some came to bring awareness to the bullying in our local schools and some came to bring awareness to the sports world, to coaches, to fans and to the players. I was honored to be a part of this event it was not only a honor but also a gift.” Said Shirelle Jacobs-Tahy/Outreach Counselor AFVP

Over the past 20 years, approximately 500 Aboriginal women have gone missing in communities across Canada. Yet government, the media, and Canadian society continue to remain silent.

In Vancouver, more than 50 women went missing in that city’s Downtown Eastside. Sixty percent were Aboriginal, and most were young. These were poor women involved in the sex trade. They struggled with drugs and alcohol. Some suffered from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and many were victims of childhood sexual abuse. Every one of them grew up in a foster home. In other words, their lives bore all of the markings of the violence of colonization.

But these women also had families, hopes, dreams. They left behind grieving communities -- grandmothers, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, and sadly, young children of their own. These young women had belonged somewhere and were loved. Questions remain. Why didn’t the police react sooner -- especially when it was common knowledge on the street that women who went to the Port Coquitlam pig farm did not return? When the women were reported missing, why did the investigators focus on their lifestyles-as if to suggest that they somehow deserved what they got? And why is so little attention given to the reasons why Aboriginal women live such lives?

In Vancouver, no bodies of the missing women have been found. But even when bodies are found, there is little effort to find the killers and to bring them to justice. Many disappearances and deaths of Aboriginal women simply go unreported.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has been gathering the names and stories of Aboriginal women who have disappeared - not just in Vancouver, but also in Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Fredericton, and so many other communities, large and small, across this country.

Young Aboriginal women speak out against violence...

*By Denise Cook, Pimicikamak Cree Nation

As a youth, I think that it is unacceptable for our sisters and relatives to be put in any harmful situation because it means our sacred lives are not honored. It affects our community, the way we feel about who we are. It is devastating to know that this can happen and that this is happening, and it is unjust to our women.

I think that it is important to raise awareness about this issue. It is appalling that these issues do not matter to the larger community just because the victims are Aboriginal women. It is inhumane that their lives are not valued, and it is disgusting that people do not take these issues to heart. The question is why there is no support in mainstream society for providing justice for these women.

My vision for the future is that we would not even need campaigns such as these because these things would not even be the reality and our women would be viewed and honored the way they should be. However, this campaign is very important to educate and put forward these issues as first steps towards stopping violence against Aboriginal women. I believe that it is the responsibility of every person in every community to help make these changes.

Sisters in Spirit

October 4th, 2008

Candle light Vigil / 6pm

Peace Tree Mall, Cornwall Island

Everyone Welcome