OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 3, 2020 /CNW/ – Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak/Women of the Métis Nation are standing in support of our families and communities.
Every October, communities across Canada come together at vigils to honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit and LGBQQTIA folks (MMIWG). These vigils bring awareness to the overwhelming trauma that so many of our families have been impacted by through their journey to try to heal and ensure their loved ones are never forgotten. We stand alongside these families to offer support, educate the public, and commemorate the lives of our Indigenous women and girls including our Métis families.
The vigils held across Canada are significantly important to bring awareness of the tragedy of MMIWG. It is important to educate that MMIWG did not happen at a point in the history of Canada but that it is a plaque that still marks us today. “Racism continues to marginalize Indigenous women and we need to tirelessly press forward to counteract the effects of racism and ensure that no more of our sisters go missing or murdered” said Melanie Omeniho, President of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak “we consult with our Grandmother’s Wisdom Circle on how we can respectfully remember, honour and celebrate these precious lives who have been lost.”