Sisters in Spirit Walk to Honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Description

The Ooknakane Friendship Centre, South Okanagan Similkameen Metis Association, Penticton Indian Band, and the City of Penticton are joining forces to organize a Sisters in Spirit walk on October 4th, 2024. This event aims to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals (MMIWG2S). 

A central focus of this year's walk will be the collection of red dresses, a powerful symbol representing the lives lost to violence against Indigenous women. The tradition of displaying red dresses originated from the REDress Project. 

The installation involved hanging empty red dresses in public spaces to evoke the absence of these women and to draw attention to the ongoing crisis of MMIWG2S. The color red is believed to be the only color that spirits can see, serving as a call for their return home. 

"This walk is a powerful way for our community to come together, show support, and raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls," said Shawna Fox from the Ooknakane Friendship Centre. 

The Sisters in Spirit Walk is part of a national movement to honor the memory of Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or gone missing, and to demand justice for victims and their families. October 4th has been officially recognized as Sisters in Spirit Day in many parts of Canada.