Sonya Cywink’s original cross that once stood by her gravestone.
Sonya Cywink was found dead on August 30, 1994 at a historic site that was once home to an Indigenous community. Police say they discovered Cywink’s body with signs of blunt force trauma.
She’s been gone for 25 years, but her story will never be forgotten.
That’s the mission Meggie Cywink has been on ever since her sister Sonya Cywink was murdered in 1994.
Preserving Sonya’s legacy, smile and story has become the biggest part of Meggie Cywink’s life.
This journey led Meggie to Fanshawe College Monday night.
Photos of Sonya Cywink (OPP)
Shades of our Sisters
Old photo albums filled with photographs faded in colour.
Hand-written letters for Dad.
The original cross that once stood by Sonya’s gravestone.
All of these items and memories filled up room M3001 at Fanshawe College as community members gathered to celebrate Sonya’s life.
At the Shades of our Sisters event at Fanshawe College. The exhibit shares personal elements from Sonya Cywink’s life. It also includes the stories of many brave families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. #LdnOnt #ShinetheLight pic.twitter.com/JrNsYPb9b6
— XFM News (@XFMNews) November 4, 2019
Meggie, with gentle eyes and a soft smile told X FM this event means incredibly much to her.
“This is an opportunity for families to say ‘wow, [Sonya] was somebody amazing!’ and to remember all the beautiful things about her [so] her voice and story comes alive.”
Shades of Our Sisters was co-created by the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to share the memory of their loved ones.
The display was part of London’s Shine the Light on Woman Abuse campaign.
The event began with a traditional welcome ceremony followed by singing.
Sonya Cywink’s sister, Meggie Cywink.
Meggie spoke briefly, thanking the community for gathering together to remember her sister’s legacy.
“Every woman’s life matters in this world,” said Meggie as she advocated for more support services for women.
“Violence does not discriminate between race, economic status, poverty, education… it affects all of us one way or another.”
A short documentary co-produced by the Cywink family concluded the event.
It showed the happiest memories; Sonya and her siblings smiling together at family gatherings.
The room chuckled at the funniest memories; Sonya and her sister Stacey pretending to drive a car as young girls, crashing it on a big pole, and pretending they had no idea who did it.
Meggie chuckled as she told X FM another favourite memory of hers with Sonya.
LISTEN: Meggie Cywink recalls funny ‘ice-fishing’ story
The laughs come with good memories but sad realities, knowing Sonya will never laugh or smile again.
But Meggie says throughout the past 25 years of her sister’s absence, the pain inside her has turned into strength.
“Through [Sonya’s journey], I became a leader. Now, I’m at a point in my life where I want to put other families in front of me…. I want to showcase them, and have them stand up and have a voice.”
Attendees were invited to write a message on a feather, and pin it onto the red dress. Red dresses symbolize the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry.
Even though Meggie’s last sight of Sonya was a quarter century ago, Sonya’s glow has never vanished in Meggie’s eyes.
“Through all of her trials, all of the trauma and struggles she had undergone, I still remember her as being a happy-go-lucky person.”
“I still remember her as being kind and generous and thoughtful.”
Sonya Cywink was murdered in August 1994 at the age of 31. Her murder mystery remains unsolved to this day.
Her name is among 12,000 other murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.
Through advocacy and continuing to share Sonya’s story, her family is transforming her life into a story, not just a statistic.
Meggie told X FM she thinks Sonya would be proud of Shades of our Sisters, and feel thankful for all who came to support her.
“I think she would say ‘find the joy in your life,’ ‘honour but be happy,’ and ‘find a way to empower yourself… find a way to hold each other up.'”
