Statement
October 4, 2022

UBCIC Stands with Loved Ones, Families, and Communities at Sisters in Spirit Vigils Across the Country

((xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 4, 2022) On October 4^th, 2022, Sisters in Spirit Vigils are being held across British Columbia to not only honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People and their families, but to demand immediate action for safety and justice for Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. The first Sisters in Spirit Vigil was held in 2006 by the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Colonial and gender-based violence against Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People continues to increase at alarming rates, with governments moving far too slowly and with far too little tangible responses. Call for Justice 7.1 of the Final Report on the National Inquiry, Reclaiming Power and Place states, “First Nations, Inuit, and Metis, including 2SLGBTQQIA people – are the experts in caring for and healing themselves.” Today, on October 4^th, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) honours the missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People and stands with their families and loved ones, and continue to tirelessly advocate for transformative justice, safety, and security. Sisters in Spirit Vigils are a time to honour families, friends, and communities who organize together to remember those we have lost, facilitate healing, and remind the rest of Canada, the state perpetuator of genocide, that all forms of colonial and gender-based violence will never be tolerated on our lands.

Take part in local Vigils and related events in your area:

Sisters in Spirit Vigil and March

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society
Date: October 4^th, 2022 at 4:00PM – 7:00PM, PST
Location: Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society: 442 Leon Ave, Kelowna BC

Sisters in Spirit Vigil

Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC Vancouver Campus
Date: October 3^rd, 2022 12:30PM – 2:00PM, PST
Location: Franklin Lew Forum (Room 101), Allard Hall

Sisters in Spirit panel discussion with Q&A

Vancouver Community College
Date: October 4^th, 2022 11:30AM – 1:00PM, PST
Location: Event Space, Broadway Campus

Sisters in Spirit Virtual Vigil

Native Womens Association of Canada
Date: October 4^th, 2022
Location: streamed from the NWAC Facebook page

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, c/o 778-866-0548

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

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