About:
Beginning in 1992 after the murder of a woman on Powell Street in Vancouver, the Women’s Memorial March takes place every Valentine’s Day in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). The march continues three decades on and will take place on February 14th, 2024, beginning at Main and Hastings on the land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Women’s Memorial March honours the missing and murdered women and gender-diverse people of the DTES. Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and trans people are disproportionately the targets of violence, go missing, or are murdered.
“The February 14th Women’s Memorial March is an opportunity to come together to grieve the loss of our beloved sisters and MMIWG2S+ relatives in the Downtown Eastside, remember the women who are still missing, and to dedicate ourselves to justice.”
Link to Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3241909016109819/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=3287305311570189
UBC Students:
FNHL and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office are providing resources, supports, and transportation for those who want to attend. Here is the full schedule:
- 9am: Coffee, snacks and medicine bundle making in Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall
- 10am: Smudging and drumming at the Longhouse Sacred Circle – Indigenous students, staff, and faculty are welcome to bring drums and share a song.
- 11am: Bus departs from the Longhouse
- 11:30am: Arrive at the start site (Carrall St). Refreshments, washrooms, and supports will be available at UBC Learning Exchange (map) for UBC participants, including staff from UBC Counselling Services who will be available for students throughout the event.
- 3:00pm: Bus back to UBC departs from UBC Learning Exchange
FNHL is also hosting an art and community drop-in at the Longhouse for those who don’t want to or can’t attend the march from 12-2pm.
If you plan to attend the march and need transportation from UBC, including return, please register. For questions and additional information, contact Olivia, olivia.reynolds@ubc.ca.
At Xwi7xwa:
Visitors are welcome to see our current book display to learn more about the importance of this day and MMIWG2S. Come to the branch and leave a message, reflection, or commitment in our window. Read the Final Report for the National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. And check our Research Guide.