THUNDER BAY – On Friday, The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) held a vigil that embraced connection, community, and change to raise awareness and to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and their families.
Collin Graham, manager at ONWA for the Community Development Portfolio, said it’s a day to remember, but more importantly, honour missing and murdered loved ones.
“This day is about all of us to be able to sit in spaces to recognize that the power of communal healing is integral to acknowledging our grief, but also acknowledging how far we've come in our own healing journeys.
Graham said it's also a day to highlight the realities faced by Indigenous women, “Indigenous women are confronted with violence 365 days of the year, it's an ongoing issue.
“What the real issue is in regards to MMIWG is the need to be able to address colonialism. How we do that is we acknowledge that colonialism is a relational issue and for us to ever make traction and to make a real difference and impact the lives of Indigenous women in regards to violence is, all community members, non-Indigenous and Indigenous alike have to sit in spaces of discomfort to be able to acknowledge so that we have the power to name.
“With power to name, we have the power to change,” he said.
“I believe that when we have the opportunity to define what reconciliation means, we can then better understand our own direct relationship with present day colonialism and how it plays out.
“I think that we all have an inherent responsibility to be able to walk a good path regardless of whatever our social location is. It's vital if we're ever going to see change here. To be able to help is start with yourself,” Graham said.
Attendees at the vigil were encouraged to take part in an activity decorating felt dresses in memory or in honour of a loved one, or someone they have on their mind.
Meanwhile, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada, spoke at a vigil in Ottawa.
“These vigils are very important to keep the issue alive and aware. Keeping this on the radar of Canadians helps them remain aware that Indigenous people need advocacy from non-Indigenous people as well.
Hajdu said despite the government taking steps, these deaths and disappearances continue to happen.
“Sharon Johnson started the full moon memory walk probably two decades ago (in Thunder Bay), in memory of her sister Sandra Johnson who died in the nineties and whose killer was never found.
“There's a deep sense of injustice.”
Hajdu said Canadians have to push governments at all level to be equitable in the way that they think about using resources.
“It can't only be Indigenous people talking about their issue. These rallies are very helpful because they draw attention to the ongoing crisis. They draw attention to the need for allies, including government allies, individual allies, and friends and neighbours who can stand alongside these families and these women who have been so deeply harmed.”
Hajdu said there is a lot of emphasis now on the response to violence, though policing and shelters, but while that is important work, she said Canadians need to help shift the attention to prevention.
“This is the work of reconciliation and this is the true path that will, I think, lead to more equitable and communities where people feel safe.”
