Honoring SIS Day and supporting MMIWG initiatives

On October 4, we come together to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), Two Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ People. The day also supports families who have been tragically touched by the loss of a loved one to violence.  The City of Lethbridge first proclaimed October 4 to be “Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Day” in 2019. The declaration was made permanent in 2021.

The annual Lethbridge Sisters in Spirit Vigil takes place Friday, October 4. It begins with a gathering outside City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will walk to Galt Gardens for a vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Anyone who cannot attend in-person can watch a live broadcast on the Lethbridge Sisters in Spirit Facebook page. City Hall will be lit in red to honour the occasion.

Earlier in the day, the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship society hosts a MMIWG memorial community feast in Galt Gardens. Free berry soup and fry bread will be served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event also features a tipi and Indigenous face painting. Everyone is welcome to gather and remember loved ones lost.

In addition to these events, the City of Lethbridge continues initiatives aimed at supporting Indigenous communities and tackling underlying causes of violence.

MMIWG Work Plan update

In January of 2021, City Council approved the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls (MMIWG) Work Plan. The MMIWG Work Plan has been a crucial part of the Indigenous Relations Office’s (IRO) agenda. They will update it in 2025 to share progress and steps taken to support Indigenous women and their families.

Indigenous Resource Liaison

The City of Lethbridge is welcoming an Indigenous Resource Liaison to support Indigenous victims of crime by developing preventative resources and providing education and awareness about safe reporting in our community.

Legacy Indigenous Commemoration Project

This community engagement process supports two commemoration initiatives centered around Residential School Survivors, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples. The project will honour victims, survivors and their families.

Indigenous artists are engaging with the community on both projects simultaneously. This ensures they are aligned geographically, narratively and artistically.

The legacy project is facilitated by Lethbridge Public Art and will be completed in 2025.

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