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Needless violence in the North Central neighbourhood needs to stop, says one community advocate.

Regina’s first homicide of 2016 was enough for Shawna Oochoo.

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As a mother, she can’t help but be concerned. Oochoo said far too many indigenous people are falling victim to needless violence, far too many are ending up incarcerated, and she’s tired of it.

“I want to send out a message to everyone in our community,” she said.

On Thursday, she is hosting a traditional rag-tie ceremony and candlelight vigil, starting at 7:30 p.m. on the 700 block of Garnet Street, the site of Regina’s latest homicide.

Oochoo believes the ceremony and vigil are needed in the community.

“We have had so much gang violence down here in North Central, but also throughout the city,” she said. “We needed something. We needed something to heal our community to show that we care about people. We care about our brothers and sisters and fathers and mothers. We are all affected when we lose one person; the whole community loses. I think it’s just gone on far too long.”