Calgary’s 16th annual Valentine’s Day march to honour MMIWG2S
Posted Feb 14, 2024 1:38 pm.
For some, Valentine’s Day is a sad day, especially for Indigenous families who have lost a loved one.
On Wednesday night, the annual Valentine’s Day March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) happens at Scarboro Church.
Similar marches for the cause are also happening across Canada.
People began marching for the cause on Feb. 14 for 16 years now. It’s meant to draw attention to the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who are no longer with us.
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The organizer for Wednesday night’s march in Calgary, Chantal Chagnon, says the march is important for one very special reason.
“I find that whenever we come together as a community to really advocate for the families that are looking for justice, when we talk about the women that we’ve lost, the two-spirit people, and the family members that we’ve lost, it really creates a sense of connection and community,” Chagnon told CityNews. “It shows us that we’re not alone.”
Statistics Canada says close to 1,200 women and children have gone missing, though Chagnon believes that number is closer to 5,000.
“So a lot of our women have just been dismissed, we go to the police for help and we’re told ‘oh no, they’ve probably just ran away. Oh no, they’re probably just on the streets,'” Chagnon said. “We know in our hearts this is not true.”
The doors for the event open at 6 p.m., speakers will hit the podium at 6:30 p.m., and the march begins on the steps of the church at 134 Scarboro Avenue SW at 7:30 p.m.
