People gather to remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Feb. 14 is a day many share love for someone dear to their hearts, it is also a day to remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Local Hamilton groups and institutions like McMaster University took time to commemorate the crisis that hasn’t slowed down.

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A large crowd of McMaster students walked slowly through campus, some holding roses, not for Valentine’s Day, but a commemoration for the countless missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Red dresses which have long been a symbol for those lost lined the route by students took.

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SACHA held an event to honour 19-year-old Helen Gillings whose body was found in a Hamilton alleyway on Feb. 17, 1995. Her murder is still unsolved. “We hold this event to honour her, to remember her and all missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans, and two-spirit individuals. Shows the community care that we have in the city of Hamilton.”

READ MORE: Vigil held to remember Helen Gillings

According to Statistics Canada, more than 25 per cent of Indigenous women experienced sexual violence by an adult during their childhood. A number nearly twice as high as non-Indigenous women and much more than the 2.8 per cent of non-Indigenous men who have experienced the same thing.

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