Vigils Draw Attention To Sisters In Spirit Cause

Vigils Draw Attention To Sisters In Spirit Cause

Friday, October 02, 2009 at 12:46

A national vigil to raise awareness about missing and murdered Aboriginal women has grown over the past three years, and one local organizer says that means more people are paying attention.

This Sunday, the Canada-wide Sisters in Spirit vigil will be held in 69 locations across the country.

Myrna Laplante, whose aunt Emily Osmond has been missing for two years, is helping organize the event in Saskatoon.

She says any way to get the word out about missing and murdered women is a good way to keep the issue in people’s minds.

“Any event where the focus is on missing and murdered Aboriginal women, whether it’s a news story, whether it’s a report, whether it’s a coming together of people from various agencies and organizations and families, absolutely I think raises the awareness,” Laplante says.

Three years ago, there were only 11 vigils across the country.

Sunday’s vigil in Saskatoon begins at 3 p.m. at the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, and includes prayers, family presentations, and a march.