NWAC Announces the 7th Annual Ottawa SIS Vigil on October 4th 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Ottawa SIS Vigil on October 4th 2012.

October 4th is a day when we honour the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls and support families who have been tragically touched by the loss of a loved one to violence. Vigils take many forms: a rally, a candle-light vigil, a workshop, a moment of silence, a walk, or a gathering of people to share memories and a meal.

NWAC hopes that the Sisters In Spirit Vigil movement will live on for generations, with October 4th being a national day of remembrance for Aboriginal women and girls not only in Canada but across the globe.

In 2012, more Ottawa-based organizations that ever have committed to honouring our missing and murdered Aboriginal mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and aunties on October 4th.

The day will begin with a Rally at Parliament Hill at 12 PM where Aboriginal leaders and politicians will come forward and demand action.

At 5 PM a Community Feast is being held at St. Andrew’s Church to share a meal at 82 Kent Street.

At 5:45 PM those gathered at the feast will make their way to Parliament Hill in a Candlelight March where the Ottawa Candlelight SIS Vigil will begin at 6:15 PM.

The Ottawa Candlelight SIS Vigil will feature families from the Ottawa area as well as those that have traveled from different parts of the country to share their story.

The Ottawa Candlelight SIS Vigil will conclude at 7:15 PM and build into the Take Back the Night 2012 March which will see supporters walk the streets of Ottawa in unity. Families that attend the Ottawa Candlelight SIS Vigil are invited to lead the Take Back the Night 2012 March as a show of solidarity. The TBTN march will end at Ottawa City Hall for an Info Fair.

All Ottawans are invited to attend any and all events they can on October 4th.

The 7th Annual Ottawa SIS Vigil is one of 110 SIS Vigils taking place across the country on October 4th 2012. A detailed list of the Vigil locations can be found at: http://www.nwac.ca/programs/2012-vigil-locations

For additional information on the events taking place in Ottawa on October 4th 2012 contact the NWAC office and speak to Jennifer Rankin at jrankin@nwac.ca or 613-722-3033 x 234 (toll free: 1-800-461-4043)

NWAC also acknowledges that the events occurring on October 4th in Ottawa are part of a larger collaboration between the following organizations:

Amnesty International Canada
Assembly of First Nations
Canadian Federation of Students, Aboriginal Caucus
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
National Association of Friendship Centres
Native Women’s Association of Canada
Women’s Event Network

Additional organizational support is welcome. Please call 613.656.3015 to contribute to this day.

We look forward to Ottawa community involvement and participation on October 4th 2012.

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Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Roselie LeBlanc
media@nwac-canada.ca

604-928-3233

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Roselie LeBlanc
media@nwac-canada.ca

604-928-3233