They were treated as ‘throw-away’ women: Elder

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) held a vigil Wednesday night for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada.

Dozens of students, the local community and Lheidli T’enneh members came to the event put on by the CNC Student Union, in the 12th year of recognizing those who lost loved ones.

Drummers perform traditional water song, said to bring healing to women of all cultures | #CityOfPG #MMIWG pic.twitter.com/T92ysyzGeM

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 5, 2017

Elder Darlene McIntosh explains how the cases of these MMIWG have been treated since the very beginning.

“The issue is, how did the community and the RCMP understand and try to do something about it, and that’s the sad part of it. They were ‘throw-away’ women. But, they were of value; they were grandmothers and mothers, and they were sisters and daughters.”

.@HostFirstNation Elder Darlene McIntosh at #MMIWG vigil; "We must send love into the world, so this may never happen again" | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/mkICn15zsZ

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 5, 2017

She hopes the support will continue to roll in for the MMIWG initiative for years to come.

“If you had a daughter and she went missing, that is a hole in your heart. We need to trigger people and get them to say, ‘this is not going to happen any longer, we’re going to support our women no matter what.’”

.@UNBC's Dawn Hemingway: "Government's have tried & tried, but ultimately, we are the change; it starts with our voices!" | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/2IcGKCTML1

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 5, 2017

McIntosh says women of all cultures should be treated with respect and love as if they were related to everyone.

A moment of silence and potluck dinner were also part of CNC’s program.

Several events were held in Canada for recognition of Sisters in Spirit, including a ceremony on Parliament Hill with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Moment of silence held at @cnc_bc_ca's #MMIWG vigil | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/HCBbodYzIs

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 5, 2017

We’ve failed Indigenous women & girls. As we remember our sisters who have been murdered or are missing, we promise to do better. #SISVigils pic.twitter.com/zo4xhZi2iM

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 4, 2017