Churches organize study day into issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls
- EFN Staff | April 17, 2015
A coalition of Saskatoon churches is hosting a study day on Saturday, April 18 to discuss the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and to explore how church leaders and laypeople can act in solidarity with those working to solve the ongoing crisis.
More than 175 people are registered to attend Voices of Our Sisters: Standing Together in Hope event on Saturday.
“This is an opportunity for Aboriginal people to speak to leaders from all levels of the religious community. We want to learn about practical ways that we can act together to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women,” said Blake Sittler, director of pastoral services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and a member of the event’s organizing committee.
The committee also includes representatives from the Anglican, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian and Ukrainian Catholic churches and the Saskatoon Native Ministry.
Organizers hope that people who attend the study day will return to their own congregations ready to educate and inspire others to become involved, Sittler said. “But first we need to ask the Aboriginal community for direction so that we truly understand what it needs from us.”
The event will begin with a traditional pipe ceremony, followed by a full day of keynotes, panels and discussions.
Keynote speakers, scheduled for the morning, are Professor Winona Wheeler, University of Saskatchewan; Glenda Abbott, Wanuskewin; and Pauline Muskego, mother of Daleen Bosse.
Panelists are Darlene Okemasim-Sicotte and Myra LaPlante, two co-chairs of Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together); Monica Goulet, Aboriginal relations consultant with the Saskatoon Police Service; Marcel Petit, filmmaker; and two students from Oskāyak High School.
Details are as follows:
9:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Voices of Our Sisters Study Day
Saturday, April 18
Mayfair United Church
902 33rd Street West
Information is also available at www.sistersvoices.ca
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