New art pays tribute to MMIWG2S+ in Sudbury
It was an emotional moment outside the N'Swakamok Friendship Centre on Thursday afternoon as people gathered to see the unveiling of an important piece of art.
On the day set aside to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people, the large metal red dress is now attached to the centre's building for all to see.
In the middle are the words 'No More Stolen Sisters.'
"It's so awesome," said Atikameksheng councillor Jennifer Petahtegoose, who doubles as a teacher with the Sudbury Catholic School Board.
Petahtegoose brought her class for the event.
"It means so much to be here with our families, girls and gender diverse people," she said.
"This is such a beautiful tribute to our women -- it's a beautiful commemoration."
The day was marked by a ceremony where people touched on the significance of the art, the day and a tragedy that must never be repeated.
Juliette Wemigwans told the crowd, who lost her sister to domestic violence, said the artwork is a powerful symbol that must be taken seriously.
"To see this symbol, know that it will bring forth a lot of emotions," Wemigwans said.
"You're going to see people coming forth with prayer."
"There's a lot to be said with out of sight, out of mind," said Wahnapitae First Nation Chief Larry Roque.
"And when the community and the families bring forth the stress -- it's no longer out of sight, it's no longer out of mind."
The dress will now hang on the west side of the building and will be visible to anyone travelling eastbound along Elm Street.
Kathryn Corbiere is a two-spirited Anishinabe woman from M'Chigeeng. To her, the artwork was personal. She put a lot of energy into the piece that will now be a permanent reminder of what happened.
She's hoping it will get people talking.
"If they don't know about it, I hope they inquire, ask some questions," Corbiere said.
"If they don't know, do your research because the stats are quite horrific."
The piece was commissioned by the 'Looking Ahead to Build the Spirit of our Women' project, a venture in which both N'Swakamok and the Greater Sudbury Police Service collaborate.
"So many times people talk about it, people have family members, people are impacted by it, but now when you drive by it every day, everybody's going to see it and people will ask questions," said Const. Darrell Rivers.
More than 100 people showed up to the event, which also included lunch for those in attendance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.