Missing and murdered Indigenous women remembered

By Nicole Neuts

More than 100 people gathered for a vigil held at Dieppe Park to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Sisters in Spirit, a research and educational organization that raises awareness of the violence towards Aboriginal women in Canada, held a vigil to remember Canada’s missing and murdered women.

According to the RCMP, Indigenous women and girls in Canada face greater risks of violence and homicide in Canada. The federal government released a report in July 2017 about the statistics of the violence towards indigenous women and girls.

“Between 1980 and 2014, there were 6,849 police-reported female homicide cases in Canada,” said the RCMP.

It was also reported that 16 per cent of those victims were Indigenous women.

The federal government also stated in their report that in 2014, the rate of homicide of Indigenous women, 3.64 per 100,000, was almost six times higher than non-Indigenous women, 0.65 per 100,000.”

Sharon George, the indigenous justice coordinator of Windsor and member of the Oneida nation, said why it’s important to remember these women.

“It’s to make our voice heard, to ensure that our message becomes loud and clear, so that we can hopefully stop having vigils,” said George.

Dr. Beverly Jacobs, a lawyer and law professor at the University of Windsor and member of the Mohawk Nation, said it is great to see people gather who support and understand the epidemic.

“I think it feels really good to have so many people who understand the issues and support and are willing to do whatever it is they need to do,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs said lack of education in today’s society is one of the causes for violence towards indigenous women.

“The education system has never allowed or taught the real history,” said Jacobs.

“It’s all colonial history. I think if the education system changed, then people would be very well aware of what we’re dealing with and become willing to do whatever they can do.”

Organizers of Sisters in Spirit said they will hold vigils every year in honour of these woman to show them and the world that they are never forgotten.