Awareness, education key for P.E.I. Indigenous community honouring missing, murdered women

Organizers of the Sisters in Spirit Vigil in Charlottetown say the event serves as a powerful reminder of an ongoing problem in their communities.

It's so important to educate our youth on these types of things so history doesn't repeat itself.- Brian Francis

Dozens attended the 12th annual vigilat Confederation LandingWednesday, to remember the country's missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The vigil ispart of aCanada-wide event to support grieving families.

The event startedwith anhonour song anda walkin solidarity, and finished with a moment of silence and prayers.

• Attendance at P.E.I. Sisters in Spirit Vigil growing
• Missing, murdered aboriginal women honoured at Charlottetown vigil

"As a leader it's important that we create this awareness for these types of things that have happened," said Chief ofAbegweitFirst Nation Brian Francis.

"We can't change history but we can always make it better."

Francis said he hopes to educate the community's younger generation.

"It's so important to educate our youth on these types of things so history doesn't repeat itself," he said.

'They're walking, wounded people'

For Matilda Ramjattan, chief of Lennox Island First Nation, the vigilis about supporting those in the community that have become victims of violence.

"It moves my heart to think, what if it was me? What if it was my daughter? What if it was my mother?" she said.

"This is what people here are experiencing today. They're walking, wounded people, you know? Some of who are waiting to come home and some may never come home."

Samantha Lewis,executive director for Aboriginal Women's Association of P.E.I., said the vigil is a chance to acknowledge the need for reconciliation, addingthat P.E.I. isn't immune to certain issues.

"We have sisters in P.E.I. that have gone missing," Lewis said. "That's one of the main reasons we come together is to break that silence. It's brings the people together."

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