The annual ceremony for the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was held in Iqaluit on Dec. 6, but the Qulliit Council for the Status of Women and the Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association organize events all year to bring attention to the grim realities women face in Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 very unfortunate we have to be the highest of something in our territory,SA国际影视传媒� said Margaret Nakashuk, the minister responsible for status of women, while speaking to the crowd at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum on Dec. 6. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I also feel we have to keep advocating.SA国际影视传媒�

Those present were reminded by an organizer of the reason for the occasion: a call to action, and remembrance of the 14 women killed and 13 more injured during a shocking and tragic moment in Canadian history.

On Dec. 6, 1989, a lone gunman who resented women for studying engineering, what he believed should be a SA国际影视传媒渕ale profession,SA国际影视传媒� executed these female students eating in the cafeteria of LSA国际影视传媒櫭塩ole Polytechnique in Montreal. 

This year, the Iqaluit march began at the Igluvut Building and ended at the museum, where a ceremony SA国际影视传媒� put on by Qulliit and partners Agvik YWCA, the SA国际影视传媒榁SA国际影视传媒� Division, Nunavut Law Society and the Government of Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� was held and a safe space maintained for those pausing to reflect and honour the memories of those who have been lost to gendered violence.

SA国际影视传媒淭his public aggression is not separate from, but rather a reflection of the broader interpersonal violence that Inuit women face SA国际影视传媒� a stark reality that demands urgent attention,SA国际影视传媒� said Qulliit President Jasmine Redfern. SA国际影视传媒淚nuit women disproportionately face violence in our homes, our workplaces and our communities. Tonight, as we pause to remember the 14 young women at the Polytechnique Montreal, we also hold space for the countless Inuit women and girls who have been harmed by gender-based violence, and those who continue to endure it.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut,SA国际影视传媒� continued Redfern, SA国际影视传媒渢his remembrance is not just about looking back. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about what we choose to do now. I encourage all of us to make a regular practice of pausing and reflecting in our regular lives... to build the communities as we wish to live in them.

SA国际影视传媒淭his space for reflection allows us to take mindful, deliberate action and choice. To choose how we respond, how we act and how we stand up lies at the heart of our collective healing and progress... let us choose safety, for all women and girls, no matter where they may be,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Redfern pointed out that Amautiit was founded by a group of Inuit women leaders, SA国际影视传媒渨omen who saw the need to support Inuit womenSA国际影视传媒檚 leadership and resilience in the face of persistent challenges.SA国际影视传媒�

Nakashuk reflected that SA国际影视传媒渋t was a peaceful walk, but it was a walk that a lot of women need. It was great to see a young one with us,SA国际影视传媒� she added, referring to a child who accompanied her mother, SA国际影视传媒渂ecause itSA国际影视传媒檚 young people we need to educate... domestic violence is not acceptable in our community...[it] doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 come on a good or a bad day... thereSA国际影视传媒檚 women in the smaller communities who have no one to go to at times... ISA国际影视传媒檓 in a position that I need to be vocal.SA国际影视传媒�