Statistics often strip Canada害羞草研究所檚 murdered and missing aboriginal women of their identities.

An RCMP report indicates there have been about 1,200 women and girls go missing or killed nationally over 30 years, and while the figure may actually be higher, advocates insist the focus must be on the loss of individual lives.

害羞草研究所淭hese women were daughters, mothers and aunts,害羞草研究所� said Coola Louis, an Okanagan Indian Band councillor during the Sisters in Spirit vigil Tuesday.

害羞草研究所淭hese women had places in our hearts. They were beautiful women capable of doing beautiful things.害羞草研究所�

The Sisters in Spirit National Day of Vigils was part of the See Me, Hear Me, Remember Me Red Dress campaign, with red dresses symbolizing the victims of violence.

害羞草研究所淭here is greater strength in unity and we害羞草研究所檙e coming together,害羞草研究所� said Glen Louis, one of the organizers.

The Native Women害羞草研究所檚 Association of Canada says that between 2000 and 2008, aboriginal women and girls represented 10 per cent of all female homicides in Canada but they only make up three per cent of the country害羞草研究所檚 female population.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 going to take all of us collectively to address this national shame,害羞草研究所� said Coola Louis.

For Coun. Allan Louis, action must occur among the younger generations.

害羞草研究所淲e need to educate our girls and boys about the seriousness of these crimes to our sisters,害羞草研究所� he said.

For Joan Vedan, she continues to struggle with the pain caused by her mother害羞草研究所檚 murder in Vancouver in 1988.

害羞草研究所淚 wish I could have told her how much I needed her,害羞草研究所� said Vedan, who was 18 at the time.

害羞草研究所淚 hope the government will take care of this issue because it害羞草研究所檚 a crisis.害羞草研究所�

As part of the vigil, red dresses were hung on a fence along Westside Road.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not just one day that we remember. We remember every day,害羞草研究所� said Glenda Louis.