More than 100 people participated in the city's fifth annual Sisters in Spirit march in downtown Sudbury this morning, remembering missing and murdered First Nations women.
Some estimate 500 Aboriginal women and girls have gone missing over the past 30 to 40 years, while others say it's more like 1,100.
The walk comes on the heels of the federal government's announcement it will hold an inquiry on the topic.
“What it shows is reconciliation between the government and our Indigenous people,” said Lisa Osawamick, who spoke at the walk. “The families of the missing and murdered women can finally seek some answers.”
Osawamick is the Aboriginal women's violence prevention co-ordinator with the Greater Sudbury Police Service. She's part of a project called “Looking ahead to build the spirit of our women: Learning to live free from violence.”
Osawamick said it's her job “to develop programming to help young women or at-risk Indigenous women to really be connected to who they are, to know what safety is all about and to know the signs of violence.”
Mayor Brian Bigger, who was also at the event, proclaimed Oct. 4 as Sisters in Spirit Day.
“Communities across Canada are taking part in Sisters in Spirit marches, and I'm very proud that we, too, here in Sudbury are coming together to commemorate women and girls who are victims of violence and who are no longer with us,” he said.
He said he's proud of the Greater Sudbury Police Service's efforts to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls, and its partnership with local organizations such as the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre.
“We're fortunate to live in a community like Greater Sudbury that is peaceful, respectful of diversity, and one where our police service works alongside our local indigenous people for the greater good of our community,” Bigger said.
“And that includes the safety of women and girls in our community.”
