Sisters in Spirit 2010: take action

Here are some ways you can support the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)'s Sisters In Spirit initiative and take part in the movement for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada:

Attend a Sisters In Spirit vigil in your community. Most vigils and gatherings take place on October 4, while others take place on the weekend before October 4. Visit the NWAC website in late September to find the vigil nearest you at www.nwac.ca.
Sisters in Spirit Vigils Facebook page
Sisters in Spirit Vigil Poster

Help with a vigil. Volunteer at a Sisters In Spirit vigil under Indigenous leadership or offer to host a community feast. If you would like to get in contact with a vigil organizer in your area please call NWAC at 1-800-461-4043 ext 251 or send an email to sistersinspirit@nwac.ca

Dedicate a worship service to the topic of violence against Indigenous women and the movement towards right relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Distribute information on the Sisters In Spirit initiative and right relations during a worship service; NWAC has fact sheets available, which you can obtain by visiting their page. Consider including a prayer, inviting a speaker, and using KAIROS' special bulletin insert (PDF). Be sure to announce any local Sisters In Spirit events at worship.

Learn more about Indigenous communities in your area by contacting a local Native Friendship Centre. Ask if they're holding a Sisters In Spirit event or whether you can help plan one, or see if there's some other way you can work together. Visit the National Association of Friendship Centres and the First Nation Information Project for listings of Friendship Centres across Canada.

Speak up and challenge racist and sexist comments and stereotypes.

Discuss the issue of violence against Indigenous women with friends and family, and in your church, class or workplace. This commitment is part of a broader discussion about residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process. The TRC process is a journey for all Canadians. Supporting the Sisters In Sprit initiative is one way of contributing to the work of true reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Educate yourself about the movement for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women by reading NWAC's report What Their Stories Tell Us (PDF)) and Amnesty International's report Stolen Sisters PDF), and learning about the Truth and Reconciliation process by visiting the website of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

To help organize a Sisters In Spirit vigil in your community, please contact NWAC through their website at www.nwac.ca/programs/sis-vigils or by phoning 1-800-461-4043 ext 251