Sacred fire honours missing children, survivors

Attendees of the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials stand around a sacred fire outside the Aqsarniit hotel in Iqaluit. Throughout the three-day conference, some attendees teared up listening to conversations about abuse in residential schools and the children who died. Conference emcees asked that people throw the tissues they used in paper bags, which were used to start the fire. The sacred fire has been a part of other gatherings with special interlocutor Kimberly Murray, “to allow participants to offer medicines and prayers for the spirits of the missing children, survivors and family members,” according to her office. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)