A Sisters in Spirit Walk to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has been planned in Penticton.
The Penticton Indian Band, Ooknakane Friendship Centre, South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association, City of Penticton, One Sky Community Resources and Okanagan College are inviting residents to the event, set for Friday, Oct. 4.
The event will start at noon, outside the S.S. Sicamous. Commencing at 1 p.m., the walk will see participants go down Lakeshore Drive and toward Gyro Park.
"This event aims to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals (MMIWG2S)," an event announcement reads. "Participants will walk alongside trees adorned with red dresses, a powerful symbol representing the lives lost to violence against Indigenous women."
Shauna Fox, executive director of Ooknakane Friendship Centre, says the event serves as a call to action "for justice and change."
"We invite all members of the Penticton community to stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and join us for this important event," Fox said. “By walking together, we honour the memories of those we've lost and demand action to prevent further tragedies."
Community members heading to the event are encouraged to wear red in solidarity with the cause.