Hundreds gather at the Sisters in Spirit Vigil in Saskatoon last year. File photo.
Vigils for missing and murdered aboriginal women are scheduled across Canada this week as part of a week-long awareness campaign.
Organizers say the Sisters in Spirit vigils are designed to remember missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across Canada and support their families.
“We just want to let people know that these are loved ones, sisters, aunts, cousins, mothers grandmothers and they are not forgotten,” said Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte organizer of the vigil in Saskatoon on Tuesday.
Okemaysim-Sicotte is the founder of Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together) the organization planning the event in Saskatoon. She says she hopes people who attend the vigils will come away with a renewed purpose.
“I think a lot of people will come away feeling like they did something,” she said. “I hope they think they were able to come and get a better understanding on the issue and stories.”
According to Okemaysim-Sicotte the number of vigils has grown over the years. She says a few were held nationwide when they began over a decade ago; now nearly 100 are scheduled.
Vigils are expected in La Ronge, La Loche, Onion Lake, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon
The government recently committed to a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women.