Annual Sisters in Spirit walk honours those lost, demands justice | CBC News

Elders led and smudged the way for more than 200 people who walked down Stephen Avenue on Wednesday in honour of loved ones who have passed, and for those who are still missing. 

The annual Sisters in Spirit walk and vigil, hosted by the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society on Oct. 4, was one of many similar gatherings held across the country Wednesday to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). 

This was the 20th iteration of the event, a figure that gave this year’s emcee Autumn EagleSpeaker mixed emotions. 

“It’s beautiful in a sense, but it’s also really sad that we’re still having these rallies every single year and having to call attention and raise awareness,” said EagleSpeaker. 

“Having more people come out, it just shows that we need more support at all levels of government and for the police to take action.”

According to RCMP, there are currently 1,200 cases of missing and murdered women, girls and two-spirited people in the province, but advocates believe that number to be much higher.

In 2022, the Alberta government declared Oct. 4 Sisters in Spirit day. 

Elena Zaldana walked yesterday with her young daughter.

She said witnessing people come together for the event meant a lot to her. 

“It hurts to this day knowing that my friends are mostly gone. And that I am [the] one standing here,” said Zaldana. 

“I lost my niece two days ago and she’s [in her] early 20s, so I come today to honour and respect those lives lost.”

Nicole Johnston, the aunt of Calgary teen Colton James Crowshoe, who was killed in 2014, spoke at the event. 

She said that while it’s difficult for her to stand in front of a crowd and talk, she wants to stay strong for her people. 

“I pray that events like this continue to push for change in the justice system. We need change [because] the way it is today, it’s not working,” said Johnston.

“How many cases are left unsolved? Those are the ones that I stay strong for. Because if I fall, as much as I want to fall, who else is gonna stand for us? We have to stand for each other.”

EagleSpeaker said that while attending events like the Sisters in Spirit walk is a great way for people to show their support, other actions like writing letters to City councils and members of parliament, and reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report can also make a difference. 

“[The report] is a message of hope for the future, it’s a message of hope for Canada.”

She added that while the day felt heavy seeing families who have lost loved ones come together with other members of the public was inspiring. 

“That’s how change happens, it doesn’t happen with just one community, it comes when all the people can come together and stand up against this issue … it starts with all of us.”