Yesterday saw the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Walk and Vigil held in Portage la Prairie. The Portage Friendship Centre hosted the event, and Donna Wettlaufer says it's an issue that hits her own doorstep.

"I was here because it's quite important to

(L-R) Debbie Parker & Donna Wettlauferkeep the knowledge out there about this. My sister was murdered November 1, 2007, so it's going on nine years. Pretty heart-wrenching. And it's very important that people know there's still unsolved murders, and missing people. Not just women. It's a strong thing when you get this group."

Insight Mentor Debbie Parker MC'd the event.

"It's great, especially with the youth. We always want to get the youth involved, and always want to give the youth information. They're the upcoming generation. They're the ones the people are going to be looking at. Lori McFarland (mother of Amber McFarland) was here, and that's what she said to them. That's a great message. And you can't get enough of that message when you're a youth."

She adds it was an emotional event.

An  emotional time for youth listening to presentation; the girl at far right weeping for her grandmother she never met."The emotion that went on in the Youth Centre with the families speaking about their loved ones, and myself remembering my own auntie -- her granddaughter sitting right there -- it's so huge. And people overlook it. That is so strange."

Fire lit as part of vigil