Ottawa, October 4, 2020 – Every year on October 4, people gather together in vigils across the country to remember and honour Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who are missing or been murdered. The Sisters in Spirit vigils are a national movement that encourages individuals, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to gather, honour, and raise awareness of those lost to violence.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation supports the efforts of the numerous Sisters in Spirit vigils that are held in communities across Canada in order to honour our missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people, and to support family members and loved ones. This year, October 4th will be a bit different because of the pandemic. Some communities may hold outdoor, physically distanced or even virtual vigils. We encourage safe participation during this time.

“October 4th is an important day to remember and honour those who we’ve lost but we must act to address these injustices, and to do what we can to protect others from being harmed by violence,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the Legacy of Hope Foundation. “It is also a good time for those people who may know things or who may have heard things about various cases to come forward, either directly on a case or through a tip-line, we encourage people to do the right thing and help bring peace to families whenever possible.”

Released on June 3, 2019, the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls included many recommendations, including 321 Calls for Justice, to government, the police and the public to help address the high levels of violence directed at Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQ+. To view Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, visit: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

The LHF has an exhibition in development called, Waniskahtan, which is designed to educate and create awareness about the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, the links to Residential Schools and other colonial acts of oppression in order to understand the situation and to prevent future occurrences. Along with an Activity Guide, the project addresses the injustices experienced by Indigenous women and girls, and helps to foster Reconciliation in Canada. Once the exhibition is complete, the LHF will be hosting a virtual national launch to remember and honour loved ones and to inspire action to end violence. To view our other exhibition which are available for loan, please visit: https://legacyofhope.ca/exhibitions/

The LHF is a charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for 20 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems, Sixties Scoop, and other colonial acts of oppression against Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants and their communities. LHF works to address racism and to promote healing among everyone in Canada. The LHF encourages people to address discrimination and injustices and to contribute to the equality, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples in order to promote hope and healing and to foster Reconciliation in Canada.

For media inquiries:
Teresa Edwards, B.A. JD.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Phone:  613-237-4806 Ext. 303 info@legacyofhope.ca