MMIWG2S+ Walk to be held in Merritt Feb 14

The lives of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited people (MMIWG2S+) will be remembered on Saturday with a Memorial March through the city of Merritt.

Organizers are again hoping for a large crowd to turn out for the march to unite, stand in solidarity, and raise awareness about violence against Indigenous peoples in Canada.

In a social media post, organizer Mindy Garcia invites the entire community to attend and expresses gratitude to those who have shown support for the Memorial March.

“I want to thank you to everyone who continues to show up, support, and stand together,” Garcia wrote.” It’s important to keep it going and to help spread awareness.”

The statistics are startling, as Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women in Canada.

Garcia invites participants to wear ribbon skirts or red shirts for the march.  Hand drummers and singers are also expected to join in the ceremony.

The MMIWG2S+ Memorial March will begin Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at Rotary Park with an offering and a prayer. At 12:15 p.m., the walk will commence from Rotary Park and travel down to Nicola Avenue. From there, the walkers will turn right onto Garcia St., then turn right onto Quilchena, turn right on Voght St., and finally return to Rotary Park.

Those taking part are encouraged to dress warm s flurries are expected intermittently throughout the day.

This will be Garcia’s third year organizing the walk, and she reiterated the importance of this Memorial Walk.

“If you can’t attend the event, please consider sharing to help spread awareness,” she wrote. “Visibility matters. Showing up matters. Standing together matters.”