Manitoba's missing and murdered women honoured at Forks

Manitoba's missing and murdered aboriginal women were honoured at the Forks Saturday. 

The sixth annual 'No Stone Unturned' gathering began at 1 p.m. at the Oodena Celebration Circle. 

The concert featuring music and local artists is to raise awareness across Canada about aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered. 

​Winnipegger Mary Barker said it's a difficult day.

She was at the event to remember her cousin, Crystal Saunders, who was murdered in 2007.

"More people need to be aware that this is a reality, that this is happening. and that there is something we can do about it. and we all need to get together and do that."

Bernadette Smith, one of the organizers of the event at the Forks, said the event has another purpose as well; to give strength to the families who have lost loved ones.

"We do offer that opportunity to whoever is in attendance to come and share some stories about their loved ones," she said. "But mainly it's about bringing them together to get that support from the community and for them to feel that, you know, they're not alone in this." 

Smith's sister, Claudette Osborne, has been missing since July 2008.

"Six years feels like yesterday," she said. "She disappeared basically without a trace. Her kids are continuing to grow up. They don't have their mom here to make those memories. And it's up to us to keep her alive in their memories."

Smith holds out hope, however, that she will see her sister again someday. 

A candlelight vigil takes place at 10 p.m.