By Charles Lefebvre

Powwow raises awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Feb 25, 2019 | 3:42 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A local organization focused on helping Indigenous people are working this week on bringing everyone in the community together.

The Miywasin Friendship Centre is hosting its fifth annual Healing and Reconciliation Week in Medicine Hat, partnering with Medicine Hat College to host several events.

On Monday, the organization hosted an event focusing on the Red Dress Project, which raises awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Red dresses could be seen hanging in Centennial Hall, representing the women who lost their lives.

“We need to bring awareness about what we can do as a community to support and make sure that this doesn’t keep occurring,” said Sabrina Prince, cultural coordinator with Miywasin, prior to the event.

The event featured a powwow and a round dance, with students, staff members and community members taking part.

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Throughout the week, a number of discussions and events will be taking place at Medicine Hat College and the Esplanade. In addition to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, topics discussed include the legacy of residential schools and issues facing Metis people in Alberta.

Prince adds the main goal of the week is helping build bridges between people in Medicine Hat.

“Reconciliation means we work as a community, we both share our values, our beliefs, our celebrations, and be able to come together, move forward from the trauma and the past of residential schools, and move forward with positive interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples,” she said.

The public can attend a Walk for Reconciliation on Thursday at 9 a.m. The event begins at the Esplanade, with people travelling down River Road, and finishing at Riverside Veterans Memorial Park.

A full schedule of events can be found here.