Women's Memorial Vigil

Photo: Carmen Weld

Hundreds of community members joined today at the Kelowna court house for the fourth annual Women's Memorial Vigil.

The vigil took place in communities from coast to coast on Feb. 14. Organizers ask the community to remember and honour the over 1,200 murdered and missing aboriginal women across Canada, while recognizing that many men and boys are missing as well.

“Generations of grief,” said one speaker about the travesty.

Several aboriginal women spoke at the event sharing a message of faith, hope, resiliency and pain. While noting the responsibility of all Canadians to tackle this tragic part of our past and present.

Family members of two murdered and missing aboriginal woman, Shelly Dene and Roxanne Louie, were also on hand in support. 

“Don't let apathy in this society consume you,” said one woman to the crowd. “We all have a responsibility, each and every one of us.”

Aboriginal leaders, women, men, children, police and even Kelowna mayor Colin Basran joined in on the ceremonies to have their voices heard.

“Violence against aboriginal women and girls is a national tragedy and a human rights crisis in Canada,” said Basran at the event. “We all have a role in preventing and responding to violence.”

According to Basran, recent reports and research indicate well over 1,200 indigenous women are missing or murdered in Canada.

Statistics also show that aboriginal women are three times more likely to experience spousal violence and eight times more likely to experience spousal homicide.

“Vigils like this encourage us to remember our duty, and to keep those startling facts in the public eye,” said Basran. “So that we can continue to push for attention, understanding and resources so that we can address these issues.”

Chief Judy Wilson of Neskonlith Indian Band also spoke at the event and called for action and the equality of aboriginal women. She noted that they are often treated as second class citizens who are beat and mistreated, when in fact they should be equals.

“My grandmother always said women are the backbone of our community, and I would like to believe they are the backbone of our country as well.”

There was a very strong male presence at the event, lead by organizer Alex Augier, who all shared the sentiment that they, as men, need to stand up for women and work to stop this ongoing issue as an entire community.

After the ceremony was finished several sang and drummed through the streets of downtown Kelowna from the courthouse to the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society on Leon.

Several hundred people also marched in downtown Vancouver today for their 25th annual event. 

Photo: Carmen Weld