Statistics often strip Canada香蕉视频直播檚 murdered and missing aboriginal women of their identities.

An RCMP report indicates there have been about 1,200 women and girls go missing or killed nationally over 30 years, and while the figure may actually be higher, advocates insist the focus must be on the loss of individual lives.

香蕉视频直播淭hese women were daughters, mothers and aunts,香蕉视频直播� said Coola Louis, an Okanagan Indian Band councillor during the Sisters in Spirit vigil Tuesday.

香蕉视频直播淭hese women had places in our hearts. They were beautiful women capable of doing beautiful things.香蕉视频直播�

The Sisters in Spirit National Day of Vigils was part of the See Me, Hear Me, Remember Me Red Dress campaign, with red dresses symbolizing the victims of violence.

香蕉视频直播淭here is greater strength in unity and we香蕉视频直播檙e coming together,香蕉视频直播� said Glen Louis, one of the organizers.

The Native Women香蕉视频直播檚 Association of Canada says that between 2000 and 2008, aboriginal women and girls represented 10 per cent of all female homicides in Canada but they only make up three per cent of the country香蕉视频直播檚 female population.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 going to take all of us collectively to address this national shame,香蕉视频直播� said Coola Louis.

For Coun. Allan Louis, action must occur among the younger generations.

香蕉视频直播淲e need to educate our girls and boys about the seriousness of these crimes to our sisters,香蕉视频直播� he said.

For Joan Vedan, she continues to struggle with the pain caused by her mother香蕉视频直播檚 murder in Vancouver in 1988.

香蕉视频直播淚 wish I could have told her how much I needed her,香蕉视频直播� said Vedan, who was 18 at the time.

香蕉视频直播淚 hope the government will take care of this issue because it香蕉视频直播檚 a crisis.香蕉视频直播�

As part of the vigil, red dresses were hung on a fence along Westside Road.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not just one day that we remember. We remember every day,香蕉视频直播� said Glenda Louis.