(Ottawa, ON) October 4, 2021 – Every year, October 4^th represents a day of somber reflection as people gather together in vigils across the country to remember and honour Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who are missing or have been murdered. The Sisters in Spirit vigils are a national movement that encourages everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to gather, honour and raise awareness for Indigenous Peoples lost to violence.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation supports the awareness raising efforts of the Sisters in Spirit vigils held in communities across Canada to honour our missing and murdered Indigenous women’s lives, girls and two-spirit people while supporting family members and loved ones. While October 4^th vigils are being altered to meet health guidelines, communities are hosting outdoor, physically distanced and virtual vigils.

“October 4^th is a day to remember and honour the Indigenous women and girls whom we’ve lost. It is a day to address injustices and demand action to prevent more violence from happening to our people,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the Legacy of Hope Foundation. “Today is good day for people to educate themselves on the numerous injustices faced by Indigenous women and girls as a result of systemic racism. I envision a Canada that respects the rights, health and well-being of Indigenous women and girls and all Indigenous Peoples.”

The LHF has been in operation for more than 21-years as a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School System, Sixties Scoop, and other colonial acts of oppression on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) Peoples.

The LHF also has curriculum from K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, and Podcasts all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the links to the high rates of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism and foster Reconciliation in Canada. For more information, please visit www.legacyofhope.ca. To purchase any resource, or to donate to the LHF, please email donations@legacyofhope.ca Our charitable# is 863471520RR0001.