WRSD students honour Sisters in Spirit Day

By Kaicheng Xin
Staff Reporter

Students and staff from the Wild Rose School Division gathered at the North Saskatchewan River on May 5 to mark Sisters in Spirit Day, honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) while emphasizing the need for dignity, respect, and awareness of Indigenous rights.

Led by Billie-Jo Grant, director of Indigenous Education for the division, the event included prayers, cultural teachings and reflections led by Elders Emma Whitford and Theresa Strawberry from O’Chiese First Nation and Kim Ghostkeeper of the Métis Nation of Alberta.

The gathering aimed to “raise awareness for what’s happening in the world as far as Indigenous rights,” Grant explained, while fostering connections to the land and water.

Fayth Armson, an Indigenous education lead with the division, underscored the urgency of the issue. 
“Indigenous women are disproportionately represented — around 80 per cent of missing women are Indigenous,” she said, citing systemic factors contributing to the crisis. 

The event aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and Alberta’s educational standards, which mandate integrating Indigenous perspectives.

Melissa McCarthy, another Indigenous education lead, highlighted the river’s significance. 

“Water connects us to Mother Earth and represents women’s resilience,” she said.

Students participated in ceremonies to “keep the conversations going” and remember those lost.

Crystal Clark, also an Indigenous Education Lead, described the day as “emotional,” noting the importance of shifting harmful stereotypes. 

“We want people to see Indigenous women as we are — strong, loving, and deserving of safety,” she said. 

The event capped weeks of classroom preparation, where educators used division-provided resources to teach students about MMIWG2S.

Grant stressed the role of youth as “change makers,” adding, “These women are missed—they’re someone’s daughter, sister, or mother.”

Clark echoed this hope: “We want young Indigenous girls to know they matter and can rise above negativity.” 

The all-Indigenous leadership team emphasized pride in their heritage and commitment to ongoing cultural initiatives, including an anti-racism program supported by Grandmother Turtle Lodge.

The ceremony concluded with a shared message: uplifting Indigenous voices and challenging misconceptions to reduce violence.

“When perceptions change, these statistics will too,” proclaimed Clark.