Sisters in Spirit vigil in Calgary honours missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
Posted Oct 5, 2025 11:43 am.
Last Updated Oct 5, 2025 12:53 pm.
At the annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil, survivors, family members, and friends are coming together across the country — including in Calgary — to remember and honour the lives of the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
The day’s events aim to raise awareness about the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous communities and the barriers to justice and support.
Sharing her story, Michaela Ginn says she was in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship for seven years.
“I was experiencing the panic attacks when I was with him, but I would just black out for eight hours. And now, I’m finally working through it, and I only have about 10 a day now, but they last for like two minutes, and I wake back up. But it’s really scary,” she explained.
According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely to be victims of violence than other Canadians. The theme at this year’s event is ‘Healing Our Communities.’
Pam Whitford was presented with a silver rose for her sister, whom she lost five years ago.
“I received this rose today. It has her name, Crystal Whitford. I’m not sure if they have the years for when she passed, but forever in our hearts,” she said.
“She went missing, she was murdered. But they did say that it was a hit-and-run. But we all, as the family and the community, know what went wrong. So, gang violence, drug violence played a role in that.”
Vanessa Badger Hunter — who lost her daughter four years ago — says their community faces systemic barriers to justice.
“To me, it’s because of stereotypes, stipulations, being looked at as, ‘Oh, you’re just a Native who gets free money and gets a free house and all that. No, we don’t. It’s very hard for me as an Indigenous woman,” she explained.
Badger Hunter says for things to change, awareness is needed along with education.
Ginn has strong advice for anyone who might be in an abusive relationship.
“Don’t try to fix people; fix yourself first and protect yourself. Doesn’t matter if you think that this person loves you or you’re so in love with them — you need to protect yourself and your family. And don’t let anyone take you away from your friends and family,” she said.
Anyone requiring immediate emotional support related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is encouraged to call the national crisis line at 1-844-413-6649.
