Happy Valley-Goose Bay vigil honours 20 missing and murdered women of Labrador

A new tribute to missing and murdered women in Labrador now lives at theFriendship Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay the same place a group gathered for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night.

20 hand-made faceless dolls stitched onto material squares make up the wall hanging.

Each represents an Indigenous or non-Indigenous woman with ties to Labrador who is either missing or has been killed.

Becky Michelinwho was present the night her mom and dad died in a 1993 murder-suicide helped unveil the tribute.

"My mother was a very beautiful individual and I know she loved all of us dearly," Michelin said.

"I know my father didtoo but he struggled with mental health issues."

Women honoured

Michelin's mom's name, Deidre Marie Michelin, was called along with each of the others before a moment of silence at a candlelight vigil Tuesday night.

The women ranged in age, from unborn to elderly. The dates they went missing or were murdered also vary.

One case datesback to the 1700s. Her name is unknown, but her life was acknowledged.

Regula Schule, who died this past July, was also remembered.A man, 30, has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to her death.

"It's really important that we keep bringing up and talking about the women that have gone missing or have been murdered especially now since the enquiry has started," said Patricia Maloney, thecommunity outreach worker assistant with the Labrador Friendship Centre.

The Vigil

Sisters in Spirit vigils happened across the country on Tuesday. This was the second year the Labrador Friendship Centre participated.

Attendees were given a red sealskin pin meant to represent theREDress Project,a light up keychain with a whistle and a long sleeve t-shirt that had a purple "in her name" ribbon embroidered over the left breast.

"There's a lot of women that are abused and murdered and missing and it's things like these that bring awareness and we put our foot down and say this needs to stop," said Michelin.

"We are the faces and we are the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves and see for themselves."