Sisters in Spirit Walk

The very successful Sisters in Spirit Walk, an activity of the Aboriginal Interagency Committee, was held again this year in Peace River on May 19. This walk, with others across the country, honours Aboriginal women who are missing or murdered.

A large number of people--Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, men, women and children--gathered at the mall and then walked, with RCMP in red serge in the lead, down Main Street and towards Riverfront Park. Since the weather was cold and unsettled, organizers decided to move the event from the park to the basement of Athabasca Hall.

People were smudged as they entered and handed a tobacco pouch and then formed a circle. Elder Helen Piper offered an opening prayer and then the names of missing and murdered women were read aloud. The good news was that there were no names added to the list for this year's event, but there were still 40 names to read. An honour dance was performed by two male and three female dancers in traditional regalia.

Greetings by Mayor Callioux on behalf of the Town, Brandy Mitchell of Region 6 Metis Nation of Alberta, and Kitty Brown from the Sagitawa Friendship Centre were followed by keynote speaker Linda Roy from Awo Taan Healing Lodge in Calgary. Linda spoke of her personal and professional experience with violence against women.

After a beautiful flute interlude by Danya Auger, we heard testimonials and remembrances from family members of four missing or murdered women: Arlene Thunder, Jessica Noskey, Rene Lynn Gunning, and Rhonda Whitehead. Others were invited to speak and a number of people from the audience chose to do so.

Elder Helen Piper offered a closing prayer and then the group did an innovative round dance in a very small space (so much easier to do outside!). I really enjoy these dances and appreciate how they join people together with the singing and drumming. After the dance we had a social time with coffee and bannock in the Anglican Church basement.

The evening was emotional and a reminder of the terrible legacy that has resulted from colonization. The Sisters in Spirit Walk offers all of us an opportunity to bring attention to the continuing problem of violence against women--Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal--and to remember and honour the memory of the murdered and missing women as well as to stand in solidarity with their families and the Aboriginal community. It's a privilege to take part.