35th Annual Vigil held to honour students of the École Polytechnique massacre

By
Sandy Lindsay
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What happened at École Polytechnique 36 years ago in Montreal isn’t just a moment in history. It is still a painful wound today for those who lost their daughters, sisters and student colleagues.

December 6th marks the 36th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989, one of the darkest days in Canadian history. It was a day when 14 young women had their lives stolen simply because they were women by then 25-year-old Marc Lepine.

In Saugeen Shores, the December 6th Vigil is held each year hosted by the Canadian Federation of University Women Southport (CFUW).  The somber Vigil is an emotional tribute to the young women, and also to recognize the more than 1200 missing and murdered Indigenous women and to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Previously held at Coulter Parkette in Port Elgin, this year again, the 35th annual Vigil was held indoors at the Plex.

Also, as in the past, the event was a fundraiser for the local Women’s Shelters – the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey, the Women’s Centre and Kabaeshiwim Women’s Shelter at Saugeen First Nation.  A total has not yet been determined but all funds raised will be divided equally among the shelters and donations by e-transfer to cfuw.southport.members@gmail.com would be appreciated.

The guest speaker this year was Gwen Lamont, author of The View from Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed. Gwen read from her book, sharing her own traumatic experience and that of another women who was a victim of a brutal attack by her partner. Gwen told the audience about the failure of the courts and governments to take appropriate action in that case and many others, resulting in too many femicides. Gwen’s call to action was very compelling for the audience.

 

Members of the Chantry Singers closed with a heart-tugging rendition of Leanord Cohen’s ‘Alleluia’ that left many in tears

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