SIS History
The first phase of the Sisters In Spirit initiative began in 2005. NWAC hired a dedicated team of researchers and community workers who were committed to improving the safety and security of Aboriginal sisters in this country. We also reached out to other Aboriginal women’s organizations and long-standing partners to announce our plans to address this human rights issue. Our primary goal was/is to conduct research and raise public awareness of the alarmingly high rates of violence against Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.
One of our most long-standing partners has been Amnesty International Canada, whose report “Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence against Indigenous women in Canada” (October 2004) contributed to the shift in political climate and inspired Status of Women Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada departments to prioritize this issue. Since then, SIS has been a catalyst for awareness and change from the community-based grass-roots to federal policy and program levels.
The SIS database is national in scope and is the first of its kind in Canada. It includes more than 200 variables and is used to gather statistical information on violence against Aboriginal women and girls. To-date, our research proves that there are more than 520 missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in this country. We continue to update our databases as well as track new cases every week. To compliment this research, we have developed education and action tool kits to be used by individuals, communities, organizations, and police.
We also host SIS workshops nationwide as well as present at conferences and other speaking engagements. SIS utilizes a gender and culturally relevant approach to help families navigate the justice and other systems effectively.
We provide links and resources available in the community who are front-line service workers. Knowledge Centre Knowledge transfer is a reciprocal process transmitting ideas to and learning from communities. Through knowledge transfers we work to close the gap between families, communities, police and victim services. SIS uses our data and evidence to mobilize and to inform policy makers, decision makers, leaders, funders, like-minded organizations, media and volunteers.
Grandmother Moon
You know all women from birth to death
We seek your knowledge
We seek your strength
Some are STARS up there with you
Some are STARS on Mother Earth
Grandmother, lighten our path in the dark
Creator, keep our sisters safe from harm
Maa duu? Mussi cho
-Kukdookaa