Ceremony Honors Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Manitoba

Friends, family, and community members gathered on the banks of the Assiniboine River in Manitoba on Saturday to honor the memories of Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or are missing. Approximately 50 participants took part in the Sisters in Spirit petal ceremony, a poignant event aimed at raising awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, often referred to as MMIWG.

The ceremony began at the Riverbank Discovery Centre with a traditional smudging ritual, followed by a group singing a Women’s song and a prayer. Participants then moved to the riverbank, where they cast flower petals and tobacco into the water, each gesture symbolizing a lost life. “This is a ceremony that reminds us that there’s a need for closure,” said Susie McPherson, a participant originally from Churchill and currently residing in Brandon. “It’s a remembrance that these were somebody’s sister, mother, aunt, cousin, friend, relative.”

Frank Tacan Sr., a spiritual leader who officiated much of the event, emphasized the significance of the ceremony. “That flower represents each of those souls that are taken,” he explained. The act of throwing petals and tobacco into the river serves not only as a tribute but also as a way to release personal burdens. “In our way of life, this river, if you sit beside it, will take your personal issues away,” Tacan added.

The ceremony reflects ongoing efforts to address the alarming statistics surrounding violence against Indigenous women. According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely to experience violence than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Furthermore, a report from the City of Winnipeg states that between 2010 and April 2024, Manitoba accounted for 21 percent of all MMIWG cases nationwide.

As the ceremony unfolded, participants expressed the critical need for greater community involvement and support from city leaders. Tacan pointed out that while progress has been made in truth and reconciliation since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report was released, much work remains to be done. “It’s happening, but it’s happening too slow,” he stated, highlighting the importance of engaging those who may deny the realities of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous communities.

McPherson echoed this sentiment, stressing that without continued remembrance efforts, the stories of these women and girls may fade from public consciousness. “We want this to serve as a reminder that we’ve got to take care of each other,” she said. “We’ve got to take care of the ones that are gone or missing.”

In conclusion, the Sisters in Spirit petal ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition faced by Indigenous communities. It highlights the importance of collective memory and action in addressing the violence that has disproportionately affected Indigenous women and girls. As the river flows, participants hope that the spirits of those lost will find peace, while urging society to remember their stories and continue the fight for justice.