A march through downtown Nanaimo will be held Friday in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited individuals. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

never forgotten

‘Get these conversations going:’ annual march planned to honour missing & murdered individuals

Feb 9, 2025 | 10:08 AM

NANAIMO — A large contingent is expected downtown on Friday, calling for more action, education and awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

The No More Stolen Sisters Memorial March will start at Diana Krall Plaza at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 and is being held in conjunction with similar events across the country.

Organizer Leah Vaisanen said events like this are just the start of what needs to be a more complex conversation.

“I feel after these moments are done, I feel it kind of goes quiet…and more awareness needs to happen because our women, girls and two-spirit individuals are going missing at the highest rate right now among non-Indigenous individuals.”

Participants will march through downtown Nanaimo, stopping briefly near Skinner St. to pause in honour of Lisa Marie Young, at the spot she was last seen in June 2002.

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The group will then move to Maffeo Sutton Park to wrap the event.

The message to those attending the march on Friday is clear: show up, talk, listen and learn.

“Listen and share our stories, I feel like right now my motto is you have to be uncomfortable to be comfortable. Just get these conversations going…learning more about this cause and the issue because I feel not enough people know…how significant the issue is.”

The topic is a personal one for Vaisanen, who said she was a victim of violence and assault.

“I feel like this is my opportunity to use my voice because other women are kept silenced. This is a movement that means a lot to me so I can use my platform and use my work to engage locally, and nationally, especially in Nanaimo right now.”

Vaisanen is also involved in running a similar event in May, along with the Sisters in Spirit Vigil held annually in October.

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