Reported by Bre McAdam

Through art and advocacy, the Saskatoon Native Theatre Company (SNTC) and the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women's Circle Corporation (SAWCC) have joined forces to remember and prevent cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

More than 620 Aboriginal women have been murdered or have disappeared in Canada.

"I have a friend who's been missing since she was 16, so that's about 40 years ago," said Judy Hughes, president of SAWCC.

"And we still don't know whether she's alive or not."

Hughes said it was natural to partner with SNTC, which co-produced a play inspired by this very topic.

The Hours that Remain is about a women haunted by the disappearance of her sister. Although it was written by Ontario's Keith Barker and based on the "Trail of Tears," a British Columbia highway where many Aboriginal women have disappeared, the world premier is in Saskatoon.

"The play itself is very strong, very emotional and very powerful," said Curtis Peeteetuse, creative director at SNTC.

The play will preview on Oct 4, the same day as the Sisters in Spirit vigils held across Canada for murdered and missing Aboriginal women.

Hughs believes the more partnerships that are made, the more that can be done for families.

"Looking at how do they report properly, how do they work with RCMP, how do they deal with the situation."

SNTC will dedicate each performance of The Hours that Remain to a different missing or murdered woman and her family. (SOURCE)