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w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, O c to b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7 | 1 4 Thousands of Indigenous women vanished or dead continued from p.1 Jacobs went on to serve as President of the Native Womens Association of Canada (NWAC). Her cousin, Tashina General, was murdered in 2008. "On behalf of Sheridan, I want to say how honoured we are to be host ing this event," said Dr. Janet Morri son, provost and vice president aca demic, Sheridan College. Morrison said the Truth and Rec onciliation report, which includes calls to action to raise awareness of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and children in this country, require urgent, immediate and collec tive action. According to the NWAC, more than 4,000 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or have been murdered in Canada. This number is much higher than the 1,200 the RCMP has previously stated. "I am happy to see so many faces (in the audience)," Jacobs added. "I want Canadians to care." Jacobs said she has been on a jour ney advocating for missing and mur dered Indigenous women and girls for a long time. "When I started, not many people were aware," she added. "This is an issue that' s bigger than we know" There are many untruths out there being told about MMIWG, even by government, Jacobs added. Every year, Jacobs says vigils are held on Parliament Hill on Oct. 4 during National Day of Action on MMIWG. "They need to take responsibility," she said. ties, have pushed a disproportionate number of Indigenous women into dangerous situations that include extreme poverty, homelessness and prostitution." Following Jacob' s presentation, there was a live presentation of the nationally-acclaimed play The Hours that Remain by Keith Barker, about the Highway of Tears. The Highway of Tears refers to a 724-kilometre stretch of Yellowhead Hwy 16 in British Columbia where many women (mosdy Indigenous) have disappeared or been found mur dered. The Hours That Remain explores the fictional account of a woman haunted by the disappearance of her sister, whose spirit visits her in a series of visions that help her find the answers she is looking for. The powerful and raw performance left many in the audience in tears. The Partnership for Truth and Reconciliation in Oakville includes representation from: the Arctic Rose Foundation; the Indigenous Advisory Committee of the Halton Catholic District School Board and the Halton District School Board; Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support at Sheridan College; the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation; the Oakville Community Founda tion; Oakville Public Library; YMCA Oakville; and, the Town of Oakville. The Partnership for Truth and Rec onciliation in Oakville is supported by The Women' s Centre of Halton, Halton' s Women' s Place, SAVIS, and the Women of Halton Action Movement. Beverley Jacobs Jacobs explained The Stolen Sisters Repoit states -- "The social and eco nomic marginalization of Indigenous women, along with a history of gov ernment policies that have torn apart Indigenous families and communi Crime Stoppers warn illicit tobacco sales fund guns, gangs and human trafficking Halton Crime Stoppers is again warning people about the consequences of purchasing and using illegal cigarettes. In an initiative organized by the Ontario Asso ciation of Crime Stoppers and supported by Halton Crime Stoppers, people are being reminded to think about where the money goes on the purchase of contraband cigarettes and tobacco. The group noted that in addition to the loss of $1 billion a year to the Ontario Treasury, money generated from the sale of illegal cigarettes goes to fund organized crime. "Its not a victimless crime," said Cal Millar, Halton Crime Stoppers chair. "In addition to fuelling crime at the local, national and interna tional levels, illicit tobacco products pose major health threats to the public and make it easier for young people to start smoking." The Ontario campaign is using public service announcements to encourage people to call Crime Stoppers if they know where illegal ciga rettes are being sold. The Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers has stated distribution of guns and drugs and many human trafficking opera tions are financed through illegal tobacco sales. "Given the close connection between illegal cigarettes and its funding of criminal activity in our communities, it' s important to educate and empower members of the community to safely make a difference by calling Crime Stoppers," said Sean Sportun of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers. 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