A memorial march in recognition of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirited people will take place through downtown Sarnia on Tuesday.
The event is being hosted by the Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre.
Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Coordinator Nicole Roegist said everyone is welcome to attend.
“The last few years because of COVID it has been a bit smaller, which is totally understandable,” said Roegist. “But, yes this year with us having a little more openness to do what we like and a little less restriction, it’s created a chance for us to actually get it up and running to the way we’d like to see it again.”
The march will begin from the friendship centre on Lochiel Street at 9 a.m., followed by a flag raising at Seaway Centre Park and ending at Sarnia City Hall.
Participants are encouraged to wear red.
“It is a ‘Red Dress Day’ so at Sarnia City Hall you will see red dresses hanging, and it’s to symbolize the women that have gone missing or have been murdered, and have been left out,” said Roegist. “This is our chance to speak up and be a voice for the women that didn’t get a chance to do it themselves.”
Similar memorial marches are being held across the country on Valentine’s Day, as a nod to a movement which started over 30 years ago in Vancouver.
