It was an emotional morning at McIntyre Park as names of dozens of murdered or missing aboriginal women were read off one by one at the Sisters in Spirit Vigil.
"She died in a women's shelter, she lived on the streets at the age of 12," said Jodie Stonehouse of her cousin Stacy.
Friends and family murdered or missing aboriginal women gathered in solidarity to raise awareness about the plight of aboriginal women.
An Amnesty International report indicates that Aboriginal women are five times more likely to be victims of violent attack than non-aboriginal women.
One woman at the vigil says she lives on the streets and was very close to becoming a mere 'name.'
"After my mom and dad died I got pretty deep into the drugs and alcohol, where I lost contact with everyone in my family," said Amanda Gold. "No one could find me...I was invisible."
Stories like Gold's make it clear that it is difficult to estimate exactly how many aboriginal women have been murdered or are missing, but say in the last 20 years that number has probably reached about 500.
The vigil has taken place every Oct. 4 for the past three years. Organizers the awareness will help put an end to the violence faced by aboriginal women.
"Making more people aware...is understanding part of that is speaking out because we are missing too many people too many sisters," said Dietlind Bork from Amnesty International.
With files from Kevin Armstrong
