Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil 2025: Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil 2025: Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Thunder Bay, ON – On October 4, 2025, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) calls on people across Ontario to come together to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and their families. The Sisters in Spirit Vigil is a time to remember and pay tribute, while also calling attention to the urgent need for action to end violence against Indigenous women.

Indigenous women continue to face high rates of violence, and too often must negotiate their safety every day. This reality is not acceptable. ONWA stands firm in its commitment to creating safer communities where all Indigenous women, girls, and their families can live free from violence.

This year, ONWA will host its Annual MMIWG Pow Wow as part of the Sisters in Spirit Vigil. The event will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Fort William First Nation (FWFN) Community Centre. All are welcome to join in solidarity and stand together in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The day will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony at 7:30 a.m., followed by an Opening Prayer at 10:00 a.m. Community members are encouraged to bring hand drums. The Pow Wow will feature food and craft vendors, along with a free shuttle service.

Pick-up shuttle (to FWFN from ONWA, 380 Ray Boulevard):

• First Pick-up: 9:30 AM

• Second Pick-up: 11:00 AM

Return shuttle (to ONWA, 380 Ray Boulevard from FWFN):

• First Drop-off: 3:30 PM

• Second Drop-off: 4:00 PM

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025

• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

• Location: Fort William First Nation Community Centre, Thunder Bay

• Activities include: Pow Wow in Honour of MMIWG and Community Safety is Engagement activities

Learn more and take action:

• ONWA MMIWG Resources: https://www.onwa.ca/learning-resources-mmiwg

• ONWA Report: Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of MMIWG: https://onwa.ca/reports/reconciliation-with-indigenous-women

If you need mental health support, the 24-hour Talk4Healing Helpline is available at 1-855-554-HEAL (4325).

For more information, please contact:

Hugette Carty – hcarty@onwa.ca

Michelle McGuire – mmcguire@onwa.ca

For media inquiries, please contact:

Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca

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• Media Statement
• MMIWG2S

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