Raj Saxena lights candles while Nancy Johnson, PSAC Regional Women's Committee Rep on the Prairie Region Council, speaks about each of the 14 women murdered at the l’École Polytechnique massacre during a vigil organized by the Saskatoon Women’s Community Coalition at the Army Navy Hall on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 to mark the anniversary of the shooting. (Photo by Gord Waldner/The Starphoenix)
During the memorial, women lit 14 candles in honour of the 14 women were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989, and additional candles for the various community groups working with victimized women (ie: missing aboriginal women, elder abuse). Guest speakers, including Kim Newransky from YWCA Saskatoon; Rosanne Morphy, Saskatoon Domestic Violence Court case worker; and Carol Cisecki from NASHI, also brought expressions of hope.
"It was really nice. I was really proud of our members who organized and participated in the event," says Louise Mardell, PSAC Saskatoon Representative. "One of the speakers said it was one of the first events she's attended where as they lit the candles, they announced what that women should be remembered for. It really personalized the event."
The event was sponsored by the Saskatoon Women's Community Coalition, University of Saskatchewan Students' Union, Public Service Alliance of Canada - Prairie Region, Canadian Labour Congress - Prairie Region, Prairie Lillies Feminist Society, Saskatoon Peace Coalition and YWCA Saskatoon.