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Vigil in Chilliwack this weekend to honour lives of missing, murdered Indigenous women

First time Chilliwack will be joining other communities across Canada for Sisters in Spirit Vigil
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Chilliwack is hosting its first Sisters in Spirit Vigil on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 honouring the lives of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. Pictured here is the fourth annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil which took place in the Alberta community of Maskwacis in 2016. (Amelia Naismith/ Black Press file)

A vigil honouring the lives of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women will be taking place in Chilliwack on Sunday.

Oct. 4 marks the Canada-wide Sisters in Spirit Vigil.

The traditional territory of the Stó:lō First Nations will join communities across the country in recognizing it as a day to honour the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people of Canada.

Although the vigil has been held in cities and communities across Canada for years, this is the first time it will be held in Chilliwack.

People are invited to gather in Central Community Park (45951 Victoria Ave.) on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. for an evening of prayer, performances, reflection and healing.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions the vigil’s in person attendance will be limited to 50 people.

Those unable to attend can show their support from home. People can light a candle and place it in their window on the evening of Oct. 4 (you can also post a picture of your candle on the Sisters in Spirit – Chilliwack Facebook page), and use the blue Sisters in Spirit Vigil image as your social media profile picture.

The vigil here in Chilliwack is a collaborative effort and has come together with the help and guidance of: Stó:lō First Nations, Pacific Community Resource Society, Fraser Health, Victim Services, Wilma’s Transition Society, Ruth and Naomi’s Mission, and Ann Davis Transition Society.

For more information about the event contact Deanna Vincent: dvincent@pcrs.ca, 236-522-1286; or go to nwac.ca/event/sisters-in-spirit-virtual-vigil.

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Chilliwack is hosting its first Sisters in Spirit Vigil on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 honouring the lives of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Native Women’s Association of Canada)


Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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