To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. 

 

For immediate release
October 4, 2021

 

Event agenda can be found at the bottom of this web page.

Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is remembering and honouring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people, and survivors of gender-based violence on Monday, October 4, 2021 by hosting a memorial walk and vigil in Thompson, Manitoba. This event will also be live streamed on the MKO Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Liaison Unit Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MKOMMIWGLiaison.

Members of the public are invited to gather this Monday, October 4 at the parking lot of MKO Inc., 55 Selkirk Avenue in Thompson at 4:00 pm. The memorial walk will start at 4:00 pm and will proceed to MacLean Park, 226 Mystery Lake Road in Thompson. Upon arrival at Maclean Park, there will be various speakers, entertainment, and a candlelight vigil.

“The alarming rates of violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is a crisis in Canada and has been deemed genocide by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Final Report,” shared Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Director for MKO’s MMIWG Liaison Unit. “As a country we must act collaboratively to end this genocide. Today is a day for all governments and Canadians to commit to sustainable action in ending all forms of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”

“October 4th is a day to know you are not alone. For the families who have been impacted by the loss of a loved one through a homicide or have a loved one who is missing and survivors of gender-based violence, this is a day of remembrance and honouring. As an organization, we walk with you and honour the spirits of your loved ones,” shared Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “As the Grand Chief of MKO I have the political will to support the creation of mechanisms for Indigenous women and girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivors of gender-based violence to reclaim their power and place. This requires collaboration from all levels of government and organizations and must be led by impacted family members, survivors of gender-based violence, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”

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For more information:

Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Director MMIWG Liaison Unit
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
Phone: 204-307-5919
Email: [email protected]

Ted Bland, Assistant to the Grand Chief
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
Phone: 431-275-2428
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Memorial Walk and Candlelight Vigil: Provincial Day of Awareness and National Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:

  • Date: October 4th, 2021
  • Time: 4 PM to 7 PM CST
  • Locations (In Person and Online):
    • Online – Streamed to MKO MMIWG Liaison Unit Facebook Page
    • In Person – Thompson, Manitoba
      Memorial Walk begins outside at 55 Selkirk Avenue (MKO Thompson Office) and ends at MacLean Park (City Hall). Speakers, Entertainment, and Vigil to be held at MacLean Park (City Hall) in Thompson, Manitoba.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols will be in effect.