OSSTF/FEESO Members Support the Sisters in Spirit Vigil

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 4, 2013) - Today marks the 7th annual Sisters in Spirit Vigils and OSSTF/FEESO members will be participating in events across Ontario to honour the lives of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Participants will also pay tribute to the families of these women, who insisted that the lives of their loved ones not be forgotten.

In more than 50 Ontario communities, OSSTF/FEESO members will join in solidarity with the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), Amnesty International Canada, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice, National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), to support Aboriginal mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, grandmothers, and their families. These events will coincide with vigils across Canada.

"Our members have been actively involved for many years educating our students and the public about violence against Aboriginal women," said OSSTF/FEESO President, Paul Elliott. "The Sisters in Spirit Vigils are an important reminder that we must continue to pressure all levels of government to implement a national plan of action. That plan must begin with a public inquiry and be developed in partnership with Aboriginal women." Elliott added, "I am pleased to announce that OSSTF/FEESO has added its name to the list of organizations supporting the Sisters in Spirit Joint Statement, demanding action from government and confirming our respect and admiration for victims and their families."

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.