Take Back the Night walk supports people’s right to be safe

Tim Brody - Editor

Approximately 35 people took to the street last Thursday evening (Sept. 23) in support of everyone’s right to be safe and live free from violence and abuse in Sioux Lookout.

Participants in Sioux Lookout’s Take Back the Night walk marched through the downtown core carrying signs and calling out messages condemning violence.

Beginning at the Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment, the walk concluded at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre.

Hosted by First Step Women’s Shelter, this year’s walk was organized by Sioux Lookout’s Victim Awareness and Action Committee (VAAC), which includes First Step Women’s Shelter (FSWS), Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle (SWAC), Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), Ah-shawah-bin Support Services, Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, Northwestern Health Unit, and St. Andrew’s United Church. 

Following the walk SWAC Breaking Free from Family Violence Program coordinator Kimberly Murphy shared with participants, “Domestic violence is something we do not take lightly…it can really prove to create a path for our women that is not healthy and very, very dangerous. We see a lot of human trafficking in our area…we’re even seeing gun violence…and it’s time sometimes to say enough’s enough, make it vocal like we did tonight, help each other, help our women, help our men, help our brothers, our uncles, our entire families, understand domestic violence, DO NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE! Keep talking about it every chance you get. Sometimes people don’t like to hear about it, they don’t want to talk about it, but you know what? Keep doing it because people will come around and they will ask for help when they’re ready.”  

A Sisters in Spirit Vigil will be taking place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the former Queen Elizabeth District High School track on Oct. 4, honouring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people.