Friday, Dec. 4th: McMaster Events to Commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
On Friday, December 4th, 2015, please join us for the following events commemorating the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:
10:00 AM - Men’s Walk - Meet in front of Hamilton Hall
In the spirit of solidarity and with a call for men to act against all forms of gender based violence, a Memorial Walk for Men has been organized by the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster to take place on campus from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, December 4, 2015. Directly following, participants are invited to attend the panel and commemorative service taking place at 11 am in Gilmour Hall Room 111. All male-identified folks are welcome to participate in the walk.
11:00 AM - Panel Discussion - Remembering Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women - Council Chambers, Gilmour Hall 111
Join us for a panel discussion about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, featuring Beverly Jacobs, Norma General, and Aileen Joseph.
Beverly Jacobs is a member of the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is a lawyer, holding a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Saskatchewan, and completing an Interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Calgary. She has taught at several Canadian Universities. As lead researcher and consultant for Amnesty International, she was instrumental to the 2004 production and release of their groundbreaking report, Stolen Sisters: A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and Violence against Indigenous Women. From 2004-2009, she was President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, championing the crucial Sisters in Spirit research, education and policy initiative.
Norma General is an elder of the Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She has taught courses for the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University and for the First Nations Technical Institute, among other places. In honour of her granddaughter, and in order to raise awareness, Norma speaks often about the important issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Aileen Joseph is from Six Nations of the Grand River and is a member of the Tuscarora Nation, Wolf Clan. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Aileen has been involved with Sisters in Spirit since 2006, two years after her daughter, Shelley Joseph, was murdered. Aileen continues to attend and speak at events to bring attention to the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada.
12:15 PM - Commemorative Service - Council Chambers, Gilmour Hall 111
Join us to remember the 14 women murdered on December 6th, 1989 in the event that has become known as the “Montreal Massacre”; to remember the 5 women from the McMaster community who have been murdered; and to remember the 1,200 or more Indigenous women who have been murdered or remain unaccounted for.
Everyone Welcome.