By Taylor MacPherson

Vigil raises awareness for missing Saskatchewan women

Oct 4, 2017 | 2:00 PM

First Nations groups partnered with local police agencies today to hold a candlelight vigil and bring attention to the 35 Saskatchewan women who are currently missing, along with the many unsolved cases involving Indigenous women.

The vigil, part of the national Sisters in Spirit initiative, was hosted by the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Prince Albert Grand Council, Prince Albert Police Service, and the Saskatchewan RCMP. Representatives from city council were in attendance, along with numerous First Nations and Métis leaders. Attendees held a moment of silence, lit candles to remember the missing women, and to show their commitment to ending the systemic issue.

“There’s always a way to improve things,” Elder Julie Pitzel said. “This is our way of showing that we’re part of the community.”

RCMP Inspector Roberta McKale said she felt police need to be involved in every aspect of the issue, because they are also touched by the cases they encounter on the job.

“We put our hearts and souls into these investigations and spend many, many hours with the families,” McKale said. “These families used to walk alone in these investigations.”

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McKale said police participation in events like the Sisters in Spirit vigil is a way for officers to acknowledge the pain felt by families, which is often shared by the police investigators. Social change is the only way the issue will end, McKale said, but that requires the whole community to come together.

“We are all responsible and we’re not alone,” she said. “Everybody is touched by this, and that’s why we’re standing with you.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews