Napi Friendship Association hosted its annual Sisters in Spirit event in Pincher Creek on Friday to honour and raise awareness about missing and murdered individuals. While the event is part of the movement to address the ongoing crisis surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), the organization broadened it by honouring all missing and murdered people, including Indigenous men, women, two-spirit and LGBTQ individuals.

The event began with a walk from the municipal library, where organizers highlighted the gravity of the issue. Participants, many dressed in red, held placards saying No More Stolen Sisters and raising awareness about MMIW. Although silent, the walk powerfully conveyed that the missing and murdered individuals remain in their hearts, and there is a collective commitment to seek justice and end this tragedy.

The participants’ quiet steps resonated with an urgent call for action, underscoring the need for solutions to prevent further loss and bring healing to affected communities.

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LeeAnne Sharp Adze, CEO of Napi Friendship Association, spoke about the significance of the event and the steps taken to make it more impactful. “The Sisters in Spirit initiative is to show awareness that there are missing and murdered people across Canada,” LeeAnne told Shootin’ the Breeze.

Friday’s walk was the third edition of the event in Pincher Creek. However, it was the first with official support from the town, including road closures to ensure participant safety. “This shows that we made another step forward,” LeeAnne said.

The participants walked down Main Street to the Napi Friendship Association Centre on Charlotte Street.

At the centre, organizers hung red dresses in memory of those lost across Canada. There was also a moving display of faceless dolls, each representing a missing or murdered individual. The faceless doll project was launched by the Native Women’s Association of Canada in 2012. “The faceless dolls represent each missing and murdered woman and girl, but now it also includes men, two-spirit and LGBTQ individuals,” Leanne said. “We have displayed these dolls so that everyone can honour them.”

LeeAnne added that these dolls, once blessed, will eventually be taken to a graveyard to honour the departed in a meaningful ceremony. She described the ceremonies held to further respect these symbols, noting, “We did have Betty Ann (Little Wolf) bless our dolls, and now there will be a ceremony where they will be taken to the graveyard, so that they are not just thrown away.”

“We want to honour them, to show them that they are cared for and they are going to be with the Creator,” she said.

During the ceremony, the materials to make faceless dolls were distributed among the attendees and LeeAnne encouraged them to create their own personal tributes. “You can take one home and put it in your window,” she said. “You are also welcome to make one for the centre, so we can honour them together.”

These powerful visuals served as a reminder of the continuing crisis and the individuals impacted. “Our way of honouring the sisters in spirit and MMIW is by displaying the red dresses, creating the faceless dolls and walking together,” LeeAnne said, emphasizing the importance of the symbols in their commemoration. “It is about making sure that everything comes together to honour them.”

In addition to honouring those lost, the event sought to encourage community action. LeeAnne urged attendees to take a proactive role in preventing further cases of missing and murdered individuals. “We are asking everyone who attended, and anyone who visits the Friendship Centre, to share their ideas on how we can alleviate or eliminate missing and murdered (individuals),” she said. “How can we raise awareness so people are more conscious of their surroundings, understand that this is happening, and look out for each other? Our goal is for everyone in the community to be safe, and that’s why we’re taking this proactive approach.”

As part of its ongoing efforts, Napi Friendship Association plans to approach town council to request support for broader awareness initiatives. This includes encouraging local businesses to display red dresses in their windows on certain days to foster ongoing remembrance.

As the event concluded, those attending left with a deeper understanding of the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered individuals. There was a shared commitment to stay engaged in the fight for justice and to work together toward safer surroundings for everyone.