Vigil held for missing Yellowknife woman

The Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories held a vigil yesterday for Angela Meyer, a Yellowknife womanwho disappeared 10 months ago while on a weekend pass from the psychiatric ward at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

The Meyer family and more than 100 supporters attended the event at Northern United Place, which was part of the Sisters in Spirit campaign of the Native Womens Association of Canada.

"Ive learned to smile and laugh on the outside, but really Id rather be at home and cry with my broken heart," Dean Meyer, Angelas father, told the crowd.

"As a family, we will live with this for the rest of our lives."

The campaign has dedicated Oct. 4 as a day of vigil and events were held in nine provinces including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Nova Scotia as well as the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

There are more than 582 missing aboriginal women in Canada, according to data released by Sisters in Spirit.

Dean Meyer said he believes his daughters disappearance could have been prevented if there were a facility in the NWT solely for mental health patients.

"I know that if there was a place my daughter couldve been put in, shed be alive today. Shed be safe there."

The Meyer family continues to ask the public for any clues that could help with the search.