The Ontario Native Women’s association and Beendigen raised the Wrapped in Courage flag in solidarity on Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
“I believe it's been over 20 years ago, and during that massacre, they died because they were women. They were specifically chosen only because of their gender,” said Coralee McGuire-Cyrette ONWA executive director.
“And so bringing awareness to the gender-based violence is the significance of honouring the women that lost their lives that day.”
On Dec. 6, 1989, fourteen women were murdered, and 10 women and four men were injured in the École polytechnique de Montréal massacre. The Ontario Native Women’s Association says that Canadians must never forget and never stop the campaign to end violence against women and girls.
November was Woman Abuse Prevention Month, during which the Wrapped in Courage campaign mobilized Violence Against Women shelters across Ontario to remind everyone that violence continues to be the greatest inequality rights issue for women and girls.
“The flag-raising today is to really bring attention and awareness that violence continues against Indigenous women today. Violence against all women continues today,” said McGuire-Cyrette.
“But Indigenous women are disproportionately represented within the level of violence, not only here in Thunder Bay, but all across Canada as well.”
Ontarians wore purple scarves in support of survivors who’ve had to endure gender-based violence in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
The purple scarf is a symbol of the courage it takes to seek support and safety from violence. It takes the support of an entire community to end violence against women
“Beendigen’s top priority is to be a safe space, a supportive place that Indigenous women can reach out to in times of crisis. Violence-Against-Women shelters play a vital role for survivors of violence,” said Debra Vermette, Beendigenexecutive director and ONWA president.
“In addition to shelter, Beendigen provides advocacy, counselling, safety planning, education, programming, and resources to those who need support. We hope that when people see the Wrapped In Courage flag flying, it will be a reminder that we must come together as a community to combat gender-based violence and to support survivors.”
