October 4th is recognized as Sisters in Spirit to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks while also fighting to end colonialist violence.

Georgette McLeod shared these words at the Sisters in Spirit Riverwalk in Dawson.

Niyajè chʼonkʼą̈̀ zhìt hänjit tr’ädäl - We walk for our sisters in spirit

Today, we remember and honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirited peoples, and all those impacted by violence against #MMIWG2S+. We walk for our Sisters and Two-Spirited peoples in Spirit.

Circle of Indigenous Students’ President, Dominique Field states “The Sisters in Spirit movement gives space for all of us to gather to honour Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people who were lost to violence; it gives us space to remember those who are still missing; and it gives us space to support families who have lost a loved one. The Sisters in Spirit movement gives us an opportunity to bring awareness to all of these issues across Canada.”

Niyajè chʼonkʼą̈̀ zhìt hänjit tr’ädäl - We walk for our sisters in spirit

These women, girls, two-spirited people were all once part of a community across this country. All these individuals were once part of a family, they were a loved one. They might have attended the same school, and they might have been a neighbour.

Niyajè chʼonkʼą̈̀ zhìt, hädätr’ënidhän – Our sisters in spirit, we love them

Many of our indigenous people are continuing to live with trauma, violence, and mental health issues.

So, I think we also need to walk with those women, girls, two-spirited peoples in our communities that might need the support and love to help them from dark places they may live in - whether it be from their personal trauma, whether they are living in an unsafe place, whether they may be risking their own lives, and whether they are a young teen trying to find a place in this world.

It wasn’t uncommon in this community for someone like myself to come from a broken home. . .

I want to bring attention that the women, girls, two-spirited people that are with us today, they are struggling in our communities, and they are the ones that need our help and support right now. Do not let them become the missing and the murdered.

Georgette McLeod is the Hän Language Specialist with Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government.

Sisters in Spirit in Dawson is organized by Dawson Women's Shelter, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre, and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Wellness Centre.

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