On Dec. 6 at IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Four Corners, scores of community members came together for an -escorted march on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
A service followed at Nunavut Arctic College.
The event SA国际影视传媒� held in a part of Canada that endures a rate 13 times the national average for gender violence SA国际影视传媒� was organized by the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council and its partners: YWCA Agvik, the Government of Nunavut, the , the Nunavut Law Society and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.
An opportunity to reflect and heal
There were speeches from guests and survivors, and performances by the Inuksuk Drum Dancers and Alassua Hanson and Mary Itorcheak SA国际影视传媒� all to the moving of roses from vase to vase in remembrance of women killed or harmed by gendered or domestic partner violence.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a sombre day of reflection,SA国际影视传媒� said Cate Macleod, executive director of Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, SA国际影视传媒渂ut hopefully also a day of healing against gender-based and partner-based violence. The speeches and performances may give [those present] the opportunity for reflection and to heal.SA国际影视传媒�
As Natsiq Kango lit the qulliq, she reflected on the symbolism of the act while relating experiences from her own life, including being homeless with her two female grandchildren, aged seven and eleven, for two-and-a-half years, that only ended a few weeks ago.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat I have heard in my community, and in other communities, is about violence, all kinds of violence, whether it be physical, or verbal or silence,SA国际影视传媒� reflected Kango, as she began lighting the qulliq.
SA国际影视传媒淪o my message today is, as I light this qulliq, I want you to understand. Sometimes the qulliq might burn out, like one just did. That means we have lost a soul. That light burned out. But we want to keep our light going, and support each other.
SA国际影视传媒淎gain, if I burn out a part of this, that means someone is being hurtSA国际影视传媒ut we want to help them, so we want to put that light back on. YouSA国际影视传媒檙e the ones that can turn that light back on, through music, through words.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was rescued [from homelessness]. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a kind of team effort and support and help in our communitySA国际影视传媒but] there are still children being abused by their family.
SA国际影视传媒淚 learned when the first liquor store opened in 1964, we saw lots of babies being neglected and abused. And killingSA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be around for the rest of our lives and the rest of our time, but we have you [who] will slow it down, that neglect and abuse,SA国际影视传媒� Kango added.
Amber Aglukark, president of Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, said she welcomed the large turnout.
SA国际影视传媒淚qaluit is a fierce, determined community and youSA国际影视传媒檝e shown that once again tonight. Thank you for being hereSA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚 stand before you today with both a heavy heart and a resolute spirit as we gather on this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day holds profound significance, not only in Nunavut but across all of Canada, as we remember and honour the lives of women who have been tragically taken from us. Tonight, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a society free from violence,SA国际影视传媒� Aglukark continued.
SA国际影视传媒淚n Nunavut, a land rich in culture and history, we recognize the unique challenges faced by our women. Today, we pay tribute to the strength, resilience and spirit of the women who have faced violence, discrimination and systemic injustices.
SA国际影视传媒淭he National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, established in memory of the LSA国际影视传媒櫭塩ole Polytechnique massacre in 1989, is not only a day of mourning but a call to action. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a day to reflect on the progress weSA国际影视传媒檝e made and the work that lies ahead to ensure the safety and dignity of women in our communities.
SA国际影视传媒淭hirty-four years ago, we decided enough. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e been standing in spaces like these, for over three decades, using our voices to put an end to the violence. And weSA国际影视传媒檝e been loud. Sadly, we have seen more loss; more tragedy; and more violence than will ever be acceptable.
SA国际影视传媒淎s we remember those we have lost, not just in Montreal, let us also commit ourselves to fostering an environment where violence has no ability to take root. This includes acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women, particularly Nunavut Inuit women,SA国际影视传媒� said Aglukark.
Elder Elisapee Sheutiapik, board member for Pauktutiit Inuit Women of Canada, also spoke to the crowd.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been advocating to end violence for most of my life. A few years ago, a family member [of mine] was lost, and two girls were left behind. I can talk about it because I have a [green] pin collection. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 all be part of the solution.SA国际影视传媒�
The green pins, or ribbons, are symbols of mental health support and needs. They pins and ribbons were distributed by members of the Mental Health and Addictions Division under the Government of Nunavut.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is nice to see there is help out there somewhere,SA国际影视传媒� commented Sheutiapik. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of mental health needed in our territorySA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e part of Canada, but weSA国际影视传媒檝e been given a large territory, and we all need to do our part.
Mental health and emergency services are available free of charge in all communities, available by phone. Most also have in-person support available through local health centres or hospitals.
Resources
-The Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: 1-867-979-3333 or toll-free 1-800-265-3333.
-Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868
-Crisis Text Line: 686868
-Crisis Services Canada: chat online www.crisisservicescanada.ca or text/call 1-833-456-4566
-Law Society of Nunavut: (844) 979-2330 // (888) 990-4665
Websites:
-Embrace Life Council: www.inuusiq.com
-Mild/Moderate Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms: https://www.walkalong.ca/explore/MoodGYM
-Childhood Trauma: http://thegatehouse.org/resources
-Sleep: http://freecbti.com
-Mindfulness: https://palousemindfulness.com
