The City of Edmonton and Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW), hosted a gathering and commemorative event at City Hall this afternoon in recognition of Sisters in Spirit Day in Edmonton.
Sisters in Spirit Day is held annually on October 4 to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people, to support grieving families and loved ones, and to create opportunities for community healing.
Elder Ethyl Fiddler is a drummer at the event and says, it’s important to connect with others on a spiritual level.
Kayla Bellerose is with the city’s indigenous relations office. A sense of community and togetherness is what she is needed to bring more awareness to the cause.
The event featured an opening prayer and smudge by Elder Hazel McKennitt. Guest speakers included Rachelle Venne, CEO of Esquao, IAAW, Ashleigh Cardinal from the Premier’s Council on MMIWG2S+ People, and Kari Thomason, Indigenous navigator with Edmonton Police Service’s missing persons unit, also a community advocate and educator who supports individuals seeking pathways out of the sex trade.
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