There has been a timely announcement about a major travelling art memorial to honour the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Walking With Our Sisters is a commemorative art installation that will be at the Chapel Gallery between Jan. 15 and Feb. 7, 2016.
The installation, which is touring 25 venues in Canada into 2018, will feature over 1,763 moccasin Vamps that represent the unfinished lives of these women.
According to Leisure Services Director Bill Samborski, the display is “to acknowledge the grief and torment the families of these women continue to suffer, and to raise awareness of the issue.” Also it will provide “broad and much-needed community dialogue on this issue.”
The effort is organized with the support of the WWOS National Collective, local organizers and over 100 volunteers in and around North Battleford.
The idea is for a community-based event. While funds are being raised through silent auctions, raffles, luncheons and other activities, the organizing committee is seeking funding from organizations and granting institutions and anticipates acquiring between $12,000 to $23,000 to cover various expenses.
Samborski adds a number of events are also likely to happen leading up to the display, including a feast marking the beginning of the project as well as five community discussions. More information should become known in the next couple of weeks as to when the first community discussion will take place, Samborski indicated.
The announcement allowed Mayor Ian Hamilton to note the recent passage of the North Battleford-sponsored motion at the SUMA convention calling for an inquiry or round table into missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Councillor Ray Fox noted that a similar resolution had gone before the Regina city council that very evening and that Edmonton has been in discussions as well. The Regina motion was adopted.
“There is a very good chance it will move on to the FCM stage,” said Fox, referring to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention later this year.
