Northern rates of violence against women highest in Canada

Angel Street in Iqaluit, formerly called Apex Bypass Road, now honours the victims of domestic violence. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUKTUUTIT)

More than one in 10 Inuit women and girls in northern Canada suffer violence.

This rate of abuse is about double the national average.

And that’s why Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada urges everyone to observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on Dec.6.

This date honours the memory of 14 women murdered in 1990 by Marc Lépine at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal.

Lepine chose his victims based on their gender, before he shot them with an automatic rifle.

“This day is being used to raise awareness and open discussions about the issues of violence and abuse that women continue to suffer at the hands of men throughout Canada,” said Pauktuutit President Elisapee Sheutiapik.

The statistics are unacceptable, Sheutiapik said.

“Back in the day it was an Inuit custom not to dwell on negativity,” she said.

“But we have to evolve, adapt and have discussions and dialogue to come up with potential solutions.”

Sheutiapik said her life has also been marred by the violence that is all too common for women in the North.

“I have been affected very much by violence in my life,” Sheutiapik said. “My late sister was murdered almost 20 years ago and it is still unsolved to this day.”

This is why Sheutiapik fought — when she served as mayor of Iqaluit — to have the road leading to Iqaluit’s woman’s shelter renamed Angel Street to honour of the victims of violence, a move adopted by several other Canadian cities.

Services for women in the North are far from adequate, especially for those fleeing violence in their homes, she said.

Much more needs to be done for men as well, added Sheutiapik.

“If we are going to tackle the complex issues surrounding family violence then the men need to be a part of the healing process,” said Sheutiapik.

“Yes we are a women’s organization, but in our homes there are women, children and men, so we try and be inclusive.”

By finding ways to help both men and women express themselves and take responsibility for their feelings and their actions, Sheutiapik said solutions can be found to make Inuit women safer in their communities.

“Far too often we keep things bottled up and that is when we explode.”

To honour women who have died as a result of violence, a ceremony will be held at Inuksuk High School on Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. in Iqaluit.

You will also be able to see art created locally for the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.