On Sunday, December 6, 2009, Qulliit held a commemorative ceremony for the 14 female students who were tragically murdered twenty years earlier at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal. The ceremony was held at the Parish Hall in Iqaluit and welcomed over one hundred attendees. This was an opportunity to remember those who have been lost and to reflect on ways to reduce all forms of violence across Nunavut.
During the ceremony, we were fortunate to have Martha Michael light the ceremonial qulliq, Jack Anawak who spoke out against violence, Ellen Hamilton and Leena Evic who shared their musical talents, and the Inuksuk High School Girl’s Choir who performed an uplifting presentation.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the shooting at l’Ecole Polytechnique along with the 10th and 60th anniversaries of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25th), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10th). Based on these significant anniversaries, this year’s theme was focused on Human Rights and Violence Against Women.
National Day of Remembrance is also an opportunity for Iqalummiut to remember Jennifer Naglingniq through the presentation of the CBC Jennifer Naglingniq Memorial award. Every year a student is nominated by the teachers at Inuksuk High School, where Jennifer was a student. This year the CBC presented the award to Alianai Niviatsiak. Congratulations Alianai on your accomplishments!