MANIWAKI, QUEBEC — (Marketwire) — 09/05/11 — KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG FIRST NATION – A vigil will be held on Sept. 6, 2011 in Kitigan Zibi, Quebec to acknowledge the third anniversary of the disappearance of Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander.
The vigil will begin with a walk from Home Hardware (79 Kichi Mikan, Kitigan Zibi) into the town of Maniwaki along Principale S street, ending at Nagishkodadiwin Park near the Chateau Logue Hotel where the ceremony will take place.
Elder Pauline Decontie will begin the ceremony with an opening prayer. Sue Thran will lead a song performed by the Kitigan Zibi–s Women–s Drum Group. The Little Turtles Drum Group will also participate.
Speakers will include Kitigan Zibi Chief Gilbert Whiteduck, Assembly of First Nations– National Chief Shawn Atleo, Bridget Tolley for the Families of Sisters in Spirit, and Caitlyn Tolley, Quebec representative of the Assembly of First Nations– National Youth Council. Representatives of the Odjick and Alexander families will also address the vigil. Candles will be lit followed by a moment of silence to commemorate the missing girls. A closing prayer and songs will conclude the ceremony.
Background
The Algonquin Anishinabe girls went missing together three years ago without a trace. Maisy Odjick, now 18, is 6-feet tall, 125 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Maisy has two piercings on her bottom lip and one in her nose. Shannon Alexander, now 19, is 5-foot-9, 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
An $18,000 reward has been raised for any information leading to the whereabouts of Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander.
Contacts:
Maria Jacko
(613) 882-7907