Posted: Wednesday, 3 October 2012
October 4th marks the 7th annual Sisters In Spirit (SIS) Vigil. There are 129 vigils taking place in communities across Canada. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) remember the lives of sisters, daughters, mothers and grandmothers tragically taken from us. Today, we offer our support and condolences to their families and we join with them in demanding justice.
Union members, affiliates, federations of labour and labour councils are participating in local vigils, rallies, forums and other events from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
“While Aboriginal women make up only 3% of Canada’s female population , they make up 10% of all murdered women. It is shameful that the federal government has not taken concrete measures to end this injustice,” said Barbara Byers, CLC Executive Vice-President. “An inquiry would be a first step to properly honour and acknowledge the deaths and disappearances.”
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is calling on the federal government to hold a National Inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada and to do so by involving Aboriginal women in the design, decision-making, process and implementation of this inquiry. A joint statement supported by the CLC and other unions will be read across the country in support of the ongoing campaign.
To read the joint statement and sign the petition see the link: http://www.nwac.ca/programs/2012-joint-statement
To participate in a vigil, visit: http://www.nwac.ca/programs/2012-vigil-locations
To light virtual candles visit: http://www.october4th.ca/
CLC calls on the federal government to hold a National Inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls