Kerri-Ann Medicine Shield (right) with her sister Selena as the film "Spirit of the Bluebird" plays during the event on Oct. 4, 2019 (Lethbridge News Now)

By Connor Gunn

City officially makes October 4 “Sisters in Spirit Day”

Aug 25, 2021 | 2:20 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge City Council has officially and permanently made October 4th “Sisters in Spirit Day” in the city.

“The Sisters in Spirit Vigil honours the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, supports grieving families, provides opportunities for healing – and is a movement for social change encouraging education and understanding related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited Persons,” the city says in a media release.

For 15 years, a collaboration of Lethbridge organizations and individuals have organized and planned the Sisters in Spirit Vigil.

Councillor Belinda Crowson says this day will now be recognized greatly in the area.

“This official and permanent proclamation from City Council will help to continue to build relationships and show support for Indigenous women and girls in Lethbridge and area.”

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“It shows an ongoing commitment that this is an issue of value and importance to this Council and to Council in the future. This is important to the community as a whole, but there is always more work to be done.”

Recently, unmarked graves were discovered at some former residential school grounds, and Perry Stein, Indigenous Relations Advisor, says this day will help many to remember Indigenous cultures.

“Since the discoveries in Kamloops and at other Residential Schools earlier this year, more and more Lethbridge residents have been trying better understand what truth and reconciliation means to them,” says Stein.

“This proclamation not only strengthens City Council’s ongoing commitments to honour Indigenous women, girls and the members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community but also serves as a moment around which the community can rally, become more informed and ultimately be better allies.”