Area organizations and residents will help raise awareness over the next week on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.
A series of events are scheduled, which include walks, workshops and a summit.
Brandis Oliver, the Memengwaawag Liaison and case manager at Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services says ten different service agencies have stepped forward to support events.
“I’m very proud that we’ve had so many people come forward and actually want to help out with the Missing and Murdered and bring that awareness and education to the public,” says Oliver.
“It is something that is still not talked about enough, and there’s still not enough being done. I’m hoping with more people involved, we’ll be able to make more changes as we move forward.”
“Even with the missing people that we have seen over the last year and in this community,” adds Oliver, we’re seeing that it’s still happening and this is still an issue. It’s almost like violence is escalating towards women. And that is something that is a real big threat to a lot of the women and girls in our area.”
Opening Ceremonies will take place on Thursday at the Behaviour Health Services office on Kings Highway at 10 a.m.
A Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People Summit walk and barbeque will happen on Friday.
The walk will begin at the water tower at 11 a.m. and end at the Behaviour Health Services office.
Saturday will feature the summit conference at the Metis Hall beginning at 9 a.m.
The Metis Nation’s Walk With Our Sisters event will take place on Monday, starting at the Sister Kennedy Centre on Nelson Street at 11:30 a.m. noon and ending at the United Native Friendship Centre for a barbeque.
Rainy River First Nations will hold a walk on Tuesday, starting from the Drum Room at 11 a.m. and ending at the Powwow Grounds for a barbeque.
There are also family events, with a craft night taking place at the Metis Hall on Thursday, starting at 4 p.m. and a beading workshop at the Behaviour Health Services office on Sunday, starting at 5 p.m.
“The reason why we wanted to incorporate family events into this is because families do need that healing. A lot of families have been impacted directly by missing and murdered individuals in their family. And we thought, by bringing the family together, the kids and parents can come, and they can bond and do some healing together.”
Other events include dinner on Sunday at the Behaviour Health Services office followed by All Women’s Sweat.
Closing ceremonies will take place at 4 p.m. Behaviour Health Services office.
Oliver says an Elder will also attend events to offer support and help to anybody in need.
