Canadians urged to support Annual Women’s Memorial March

[admin]

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON (February 11th, 2011)

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) urges all Canadians to support the 20th Annual Women’s Memorial March. The March has its roots in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, as the first one was held in 1991 in commemoration of a woman who was murdered on Powel Street in Vancouver. The outcry from the community led to this Valentine’s Day event that is designed as an outlet for the public’s compassion and support of the family, and to honour the lives of missing and murdered women.


NWAC president Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell is attending the Vancouver March as we join in solidarity with families and grass roots organizations in DTES. This year, the 20th year, there are 14 days of activities planned in and around Vancouver. Please see this website for a list of those activities: http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/

If you are not able to attend the events planned in Vancouver, please check Facebook for events being planned this weekend in cities near you.

NWAC hopes that Canadians take the opportunity on Monday, February 14th 2011 to join a march and remember the lives of the women we have lost.

-30-

Katharine Irngaut
Acting Director of Sisters In Spirit
sisterinspirit[at]nwac.ca

-----------

Communiqué de presse – Pour Diffusion Immédiate

L’AFAC invite les Canadiens à supporter la 20ième Marche
AnnuelleCommémorative des Femmes

Ottawa, ON (11 févr. 11) – L’Association des Femmes Autochtones du Canada (AFAC) invite les Canadiens à supporter la 20ième Marche Annuelle Commémorative des Femmes. L’origine de la Marche provient dans l’Est du Centre-ville de Vancouver, puisque la première Marche a eu lieu en 1991 en commémoration d’une femme qui a été tuée sur larue Powel, à Vancouver. Le tollé provenant de la communauté à inciter les gens à participer a cet événement, qui est conçu comme un débouché pour la compassion du public et pour supporter les familles, et honorer la vie des femmes disparues et assassinées.

La présidente de l’AFAC, Jeannette Corbière-Lavell, sera présente durant la Marche à Vancouver, lorsque nous allons nous associer en solidarité avec les familles et les organisations de base dans l’Est du Centre-ville. Cette année, la 20ième année, il y aura 14 jours d’activités prévues à Vancouver et aux alentours. S'il-vous-plaît, veuillez consulter ce site web pour une liste d’activités prévues :
http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/

Si vous êtes dans l’impossibilité de participer aux événements prévus à Vancouver, veuillez vérifier Facebook pour des événements prévus cette fin de semaine, dans des villes plus près de vous.

L’AFAC espère que les Canadiens profiteront de l'occasion, le lundi 14 Février 2011, pour se joindre à une marche commémorative des vies de femmes que nous avons perdues.

-30-

Katharine Irngaut
Directrice par Intérim des Soeurs d’Esprit
sisterinspirit[at]nwac.ca

[admin]

AFN Continues Call for Independent Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Action to End Violence Against Indigenous Women

OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2011

As hundreds gathered in Vancouver for the 20th annual memorial march for missing and murdered women, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo acknowledged the strength and resilience of the many families and friends directly affected by this tragic issue.

"The Assembly of First Nations continues to urge the federal government to work collaboratively with Indigenous and women's organizations on an action plan focused on prevention and the safety and security of Indigenous women," said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. "Today we recognize the strength and resilience of the families, friends and support networks of the far too many girls and women lost to violence. At our Assembly last December, First Nation leaders from across the country called for an independent public commission of inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. We emphasize again today the need for such an inquiry."

AFN has presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women and has requested standing in the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry which will examine the conduct of police investigations of women reported missing from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside between January 23, 1997 and February 5, 2002.

"The AFN will continue to act and advocate for the protection and safety of First Nation women and children as a basic human right consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," said National Chief Atleo. "Chiefs from across Canada have made ending violence against women a key priority and we continue to advocate for support for community-based initiatives that work for First Nations such as Sisters in Spirit, a research, education and policy initiative coordinated by the Native Women's Association of Canada and driven and led by Aboriginal women. Unfortunately, this initiative was dropped in the last federal budget. It must be re-invigorated."

The annual women's memorial march, organized by women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, began in 1991 with the intent to "come together to grieve the loss of our beloved sisters, remember the women who are still missing and dedicate ourselves to justice." On its 20th anniversary, the Valentine's Day march expresses compassion and community support for all women in the downtown eastside of Vancouver and the Coast Salish territories and honours the lives of all missing and murdered women. Organizers of the march hosted a series of public awareness events earlier this month, including film screenings, art exhibits and educational, poetry and music activities.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.

For further information:

Jenna Young, Assembly of First Nations Communications Officer at 613-241-6789, ext 401, 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca.

Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382, 613 292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca

[admin]

Across the country there were gatherings and marches to raise Canadian awareness of missing and murdered women.

February 14, 2011

women2011.jpg (177.57 KiB) Viewed 609 times

MORE PHOTOS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29125594@N ... 5946071825
(No more stolen sisters: Memorial events in London, Ontario )
- - -

Sisters In Spirit rally on Parliament Hill . . .
PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... =613120862
- - -

People turned out in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Thunder Bay and Vancouver to name a few, for the 20th annual Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women.

Vancouver memorial march honours missing, murdered women . . .
http://www.straight.com/article-374592/ ... ered-women


Red and yellow rose petals honoured missing and murdered women at the 20th annual memorial march...


It's hard to imagine that it has been 20 years - yet the problem continues almost unabated across the country, as more Aboriginal women go missing and many are murdered.

Calls continue for a national inquiry, something the Harper government has ignored...
viewtopic.php?p=12606#p12606

More coverage: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2 ... t-214.html