The “Light the Way” campaign aims to bring awareness to the MMIWG2S+ (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited), and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Community members in Saskatchewan will be coming together to honor and pay tribute those that are no longer with us.

“Light the Way” is a social media campaign for remembering the MMIWG2S+ (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited), and to bring about awareness regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The project looks towards honoring these loved ones as well as giving hope to the survivors, families, and each of those that remain with us.

Community members are simply asked to place a lit candle by their window daily for one hour at sunset or turn on their porch light, or honour them in any manner they find comforting and soothing – then take a photo of what they have done and submit it to the campaign’s Facebook page.

The campaign is hosted by The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Saskatchewan, an organization built on community trust, support, and tradition to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal Peoples throughout Canada. It will be taking place until March 31, 2021, and will continue to raise awareness on the cause throughout this period.

The North West Company Inc. also showed their support for the campaign by donating two Northern/NorthMart gift cards for the winners of the program. A winner is also randomly chosen each Friday from amongst the individuals that like, share and comment with a picture of lighting a candle during a specific week. These gift cards will be able to help families in need of supplies and necessities during these difficult times.

The winners of these Northern gift cards were community residents Mark Daigneault (left) and Tanya Aramenko (right). 

“As we continue to raise awareness of MMIWG2S+, we want to provide hope for everyone during this time. We can show our support and light the way for victims and survivors of MMIWG2S+ and COVID-19 alike, to find their way home,” shared Alicia Buckley, The Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s Program Manager.

More information of the Light the Way campaign can be found on The Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s Facebook page.