On Thursday, October 4, The University of Winnipeg honoured the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIGW2S) during a walk of solidarity. Staff, students, and faculty members all participated — raising community awareness and demonstrating support for the families and survivors of this national tragedy.
The walk originated at both UWinnipeg campuses — the main campus at 515 Portage Avenue (Leatherdale Hall) and the Selkirk campus at 541 Selkirk Avenue (Merchants Corner) — and the two groups commemorated MMIWG2S by connecting the campuses with red ribbons along the way.
Participants from the Selkirk campus tied red ribbons down Selkirk Avenue, down Isabel, and up to the Salter Street Bridge.
Participants coming from main campus tied red ribbons along Ellice Avenue, down Balmoral, onto Isabel, and up to the Salter Street Bridge.
“This is an important day for us to remember our young women and girls and members of the two-spirit community that have gone missing or have been murdered. We must also take time to show our support for the affected family members and let them know that they are not alone,” said Lorena Fontaine, Academic Lead, Indigenous Affairs at UWinnipeg. “This symbolic event is an opportunity to strengthen connections between The University of Winnipeg, and the neighborhoods that we are situated in.”
For more information about the UWinnipeg Ribbon Walk of Solidarity, please contact Levi A. Foy at l.foy@uwinnipeg.ca. For information about related community events in Winnipeg, search “A Celebration of Spirit: Manitoba MMIWG2S, Families & Survivors” on Facebook.
