By Angela Brown

Vigil planned to help those missing a loved one over the holidays

Dec 12, 2018 | 11:00 AM

Battlefords area residents, as well as surrounding Indigenous communities struggling with grief over the holidays from the death of a loved one, will be able to attend a special vigil service coming up in the community.

Open to everyone, the event is being organized by Diane Pooyak who is the co-lead on the project. Pooyak, who is an activity coordinator with Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services Inc., is also a grief counsellor.

“People feel so sad when Christmas is coming up,” she said. “They are missing their loved ones. It’s a hard time for a lot of people at Christmas. It’s a time for families to get together. (But) you always have that missing link in your life when you have lost someone.”

Pooyak hopes individuals dealing with grief who come to the vigil will be able to experience some healing as well.

“It’s a way for them to release some of that pain or anger, whatever they have in their hearts when they have lost a loved one,” she added.

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Individuals often journey through a range of emotional stages when they going through grief – from denial, to anger, bargaining, depression and then eventually acceptance.

The vigil service will include music with gospel songs, hymns, and a hand-drum song, as well as an illuminated balloon release outside There will also be a light lunch provided. 

Pooyak said individuals attending the event can write the name of the loved one they have lost onto one of the balloons provided during the ceremony. Then, organizers will release the balloons into the sky in memory of the individual they will be thinking about over the holiday season. 

The memorial vigil will take place at the Don Ross Centre in Room 107 in North Battleford on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW