Over 60 Yellowknifers gathered Friday to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women lost their lives.
The vigil, which was held at the N.W.T. legislature, included speeches from local organizations and community members, and the laying of roses in memory of the victims.
“The hope is prevention, may this never happen again,” said Yellowknife resident Reyhan Sarikaya.
“There are so many cultural shifts that need to happen, especially in how we teach men and boys. It’s not acceptable to use violence as a form of affection towards a woman.”
Kate Wedzin, a speaker at the event recounted her experience with intimate-partner violence.
“They accept any kind of love, even if it’s hitting, slapping, or yelling, because all they want is love. That was my experience — accepting abuse and violence,” Wedzin said.
She urged women in abusive relationships to seek help, noting that organizations like YWCA supported her in her journey.
Another speaker, Lovingson Mtongwiza, shared his story of losing his sister to gender-based violence.
“I lost my sister to gender-based violence. She was the one who raised me. She was killed by her husband in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Because of his experience, Mtongwiza says he has become a life coach for men and works with them to teach emotional regulation and help reduce violence.
