Calgary's 16th Annual Valentine's Day Parade honoring MMIWG2S

For some, Valentine's Day is a sad day, especially for Indigenous families who have lost a loved one.

The annual Valentine's Day March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S) will be held at Scarborough Church on Wednesday night.

Similar demonstrations are taking place in Canada.

For 16 years, people started marching on February 14 for this purpose. It's meant to bring attention to the disproportionate number of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people who are missing from our midst.

RELATED: 'We're in a crisis': Red Shirt Day honored as leaders say more work to be done

Chantal Chagnon, an organizer of Wednesday night's march in Calgary, says the march is important for one particular reason.

“I find that whenever we come together as a community to really advocate for families seeking justice, we're talking about the women we've lost, the two-spirit people we've lost, and the family members we've lost. , it really creates a sense of connection and community,” Chagnon told CityNews. “It shows we're not alone.”

Statistics Canada says about 1,200 women and children are missing, but Chagnon believes the number is closer to 5,000.

“So a lot of our women are fired and we go to the police for help and we're told, 'oh no, they've probably just run away.' Oh no, they're probably on the street,” Chagnon said. “We know in our hearts that's not true.”

Doors to the event will open at 6:00 p.m., speakers will take the podium at 6:30 p.m., and the procession will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the steps of the church at 134 Scarborough Ave.