Honouring the thirty-first anniversary of the Women’s Memorial March

This message is being sent on behalf of the First Peoples Indigenous Centre. Please direct questions to Amanda Banning, indigenous coach, First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

Monday, February 14 marks the thirty-first anniversary of the Women’s Memorial March. The event began as a means to commemorate the life of Cheryl Ann Joe, an Indigenous woman who was murdered in downtown Vancouver in January 1992, and has since expanded to honour the lives of all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited individuals (MMIWG2S+).

In light of current public health guidelines, the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) will honour this day through a series of virtual events this year.

Honouring Stolen Sisters
FPIC invites you to join in virtually and welcome Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, sexual violence educator and advocate Suzanne Smoke to discuss the systemic barriers facing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited individuals.

When: Monday, February 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Bannock and Books
Join us for the launch of Bannock and Books, an Indigenous book club series designed to bring hearts and minds together as we explore various topics pertaining to Indigenous culture, ways of knowing and experiences.

Sharing Circle
Join us virtually for a guided conversation as we explore the book, Highway of Tears and the systemic oppression facing Indigenous women, children and Two-Spirited individuals in Canada.

When: Monday, March 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Featured Book: Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid
Synopsis:
A searing and revelatory account of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls of Highway 16 and an indictment of the society that failed them. For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The highway is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.

Highway of Tears is a powerful story about our ongoing failure to provide justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and a testament to their families and communities’ unwavering determination to find it.

Students and employees
Reserve your copy of Highway of Tears by selecting the Sharing Circle + Book Loan ticket upon registration.

Community members
Pick up a copy of Highway of Tears from your local library or check out Indigenous bookstore Good Minds to purchase a copy of your own.

For more resources to enhance your understanding, explore the curated collection of books on Missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and Two-Spirited individuals here.