Remembering the dead and pressing for change

GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS

Raanva Simonsen, a seamstress and musician in Iqaluit, set the tone for the community’s vigil against violence against women before she even hit the first note on her guitar.

“This is a terrible occasion,” Simonsen said on stage at the Parish Hall on Dec. 6. “But I want to say even though horrible things happen, change happens, too.

“And every day we can do what it takes to make sure change happens.”

With the qulliq burning in front of her, Simonsen joined hundreds of women, men and children around the territory on Monday evening, in a soft, but powerful condemnation of violence against women.

Simonsen’s message of hope was echoed many times over by politicians, survivors, and women who volunteer in the fight to protect women and children from abusive men.

Nunavummiut from Rankin Inlet to Igloolik to Chesterfield Inlet gathered to recognize the day that marks the 15th anniversary of the tragedy known as the Montreal massacre.

Canadians across the country have gathered annually since 1989 to remember 14 female students who were killed at L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Their attacker stormed their classrooms with a rifle, separated men from women, and then gunned them down, before killing himself.

The event later prompted the country’s restrictive gun laws and registry.

But the day also has special meaning in Nunavut.

The rate of sexual assault in the territory is 14 times higher than the national average, according to crime statistics from 2002.

The women’s shelter in Iqaluit, where many women go with their children to escape abusive partners, is stretched to capacity almost every day of the year.

Ed Picco, Iqaluit East MLA and a cabinet minister, pointed out the added significance to Nunavummiut, while speaking at Parish Hall.

“We have to remember Dec. 6, 1989,” said Picco, who was one of the few men at the event. “But we also have to remember what happens right here in Iqaluit and Nunavut.

“We also have to remember the people we have lost every day… to violence against women.”

This year, two women were killed in Nunavut. Sylvia Lyall, a secretary for a government minister in Iqaluit, was found dead in her apartment in June. A former boyfriend awaits trial, on charges of first-degree murder.

Rhoda Maghagak, of Cambridge Bay, died violently in March. Police haven’t arrested anyone, although they consider the case to be a homicide.

Also, the murder trial of the former boyfriend who killed Donna Kusugak in Rankin Inlet ended late month. Allen Kabvitok was sentenced to 14 years in prison for strangling her to death.

The day’s demonstrations, which included a youth event at Inuksuk high school later that night, were difficult for many in the crowd, whose lives had been affected by attacks on women. Many people made reference to Louise Pargeter, a Yellowknife parole officer, who was murdered on the job in October. An Igloolik man faces a murder charge in the case.

Elisapee Sheutiapik, the mayor of Iqaluit, recalled her own pain and loneliness after her sister, Mary Anne, was murdered more than a decade ago.

During the vigil, Sheutiapik called for zero tolerance on violence everywhere.

“We need to send a message to all of society that we will not and do not accept violence in any form,” she said. “Let’s help them stop it, because violence affects everyone.”