Local protestors have joined in what has been called a national day of vigil during the eighth annual Sisters in Spirit rally.
Organizer Amanda Gould said they would keep holding the events until the federal government agreed to an inquiry into the number of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.
“They have to listen to us. There's no if ands or buts about it. We're here and we're going to keep doing this until we are heard,” she told CTV News.
Chief Steve Courtoreille of the Mikisew Cree First Nation said it seems to be an uphill battle.
“From the federal side, federal government side nothing's changed. It seems like the Prime Minister has no interest in making any changes or doing a national inquiry.
“It affects the community in a way that knowing that nobody's doing anything about it,” he added.
The issue has been something Jennifer Waquan has lived with for years after her mother disappeared from Fort McMurray.
“It's been hard. You know growing up not knowing where she was.
“It affects your everyday life. You're always wondering and worrying where she is and there's nothing.”
According to a recent RCMP report, Waquan is not alone.
The report, released in May, concluded that the actual number of missing or murdered aboriginal women exceeds previous estimates.
“It also gives us official research data so we can see if the numbers are getting better or worse, right? If we have nothing to compare it to how are we going to know if we're making change or not,” Gould said.
The Edmonton Sisters in Spirit Rally started at Boyle Street Plaza just before 1 p.m. and participants marched to the Alberta Legislature Grounds for the closing ceremony.
According to the group’s Facebook page, Stolen Sisters Awareness Movement was created in May 2007.
With files from Amanda Anderson
