Sisters in Spirit vigil remembers murdered and missing Aboriginal women

October 7, 2013

By Margaret Hele

SAULT STE. MARIE – Vigils to honour Canada’s 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women were held on Oct. 4. The Zonta Women’s Club of Sault Ste. Marie partnered with the Sault College Native Education Department to acknowledge this tragedy that impacts all Canadian women with a Sisters in Spirit vigil held at the Native Education Centre –

Karissa and Nicole Hewson were pleased to add their faceless dolls to the display at Sault College during the Sisters in Spirit event. – Photo by Margaret Hele

Enjimaawnjiding, Sault College.

Faceless dolls, a project initiated by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), were made and displayed along with a presentation on the research of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women. A permanent Faceless Doll display will be set up at Sault College.

The Faceless Doll project was launched in 2012 to raise awareness about these hundreds of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. The essence of the project was the creation of felt dolls without faces as a visual representation of the strong and beautiful Aboriginal women who have become victims of crime. The project was completed in June of this year and is now a travelling art exhibit.

“I made a faceless doll that will now be travelling in this art exhibit,” said Barbara Burns of Garden River First Nation.

Gayle Manley, President of the Zonta Club said that the event was a follow-up to a speaker even in April when Michel Audette, President of NWAC spoke to our community about this Canadian human rights issue.

“We wanted to honour our Aboriginal sisters. Participants were invited to create their own unique felt faceless doll and bring them to today’s October 4^th event,” said Manley.

Algoma University held a SIS vigil around an open fire under their arbour. It was their day to remember and honour the lives of the many missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls as well as to offer support to families who have been tragically touched by the loss of a loved one to violence. Tobacco was placed in the fire during drumming and singing. This is the 8^th year of the Sisters in Spirit vigils initiated by the National Women’s Association of Canada.