GPRC and Friendship Centre hosting the Sisters in Spirit Walk today

Oct 4, 2018 | 11:16 AM

The Sisters in Spirit Walk is taking place today at GPRC and the Friendship Centre.

Media Relations with Walking with our Sisters Grande Prairie and Area Omarla Cooke says the event is a way to remember Indigenous women and girls who have experienced and/or lost their lives to violence across Canada.

“We want to honour all of them and celebrate all of those women so that we can give them the dignity and honour that they deserve.”

Elder in Residence at GPRC Loretta Parenteau-English says the focus of the event will be to allow families to come together and remember those close to them affected by violence.

“So, basically, what we do is have a rally at the Grande Prairie Regional College and the focus is mostly on the family members who are hurt [or affected] by this.”

Participants are encouraged to wear blue and bring framed pictures of lost loved ones to be displayed at the candlelight vigil at the Friendship Centre to conclude the event.

Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement she hopes the vigils can be the start of something bigger for the cause.

“Our greatest hope is that these vigils, along with better supports for women, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Alberta’s Taking Action Against Racism plan and resolute efforts at every level of society, will help achieve meaningful action to ensure the safety and security of Indigenous women and girls here in Alberta and across Canada.”

The walk starts at 4:45 p.m. at the GPRC main entrance.

by Brady Ratzlaff