Dec 6, 2021
Dear friends of the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies:
On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we continue to to remember and to mourn the women whose lives were cut short at École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989. Although we cannot restore this terrible loss, we continue to honour and recognize it through the work that we do at the Institute to address gender-based violence, which continues in a multitude of forms. As our poster suggests, there are intersectional connections to be made to specific forms of violence and misogyny against racialized and Indigenous women, transgender women, and femmes, LGBTQ2SIA+, and gender non-binary people. We dedicate ourselves to creating spaces that are safe for open discussion and study for all, and where grief can be expressed, so that we can transform the worlds we live in to eradicate violence.
Ann Cvetkovich
Director, Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies
Carleton University
Message to Undergraduate Students in WGST 1808
Dear 1808:
Today, December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which is recognized across Turtle Island. This is a very important day that I would like to comment on. Please note, that there are references to violence below, especially gender-based, misogynistic violence. Please do not hesitate to contact anyone on the teaching team should you be looking for resources to discuss this violence.
I would like to add that it is up to everyone in our community, regardless of gender, or ability, or race, or sexuality, or class, to call attention to not only the darkness of the misogynistic and gender-based violence that continues today, but also to the many victories for those who have fought for change.
However, as feminist thinkers in our learning community of WGST 1808, we are also keenly aware that when we talk about and take action on misogynistic and gender-based violence, we will consider gender, ability, race, sexuality, class, among other things. We will especially remember and consider that the very supports our communities can offer have workers who are the very perpetrators of the violence, such as in the legal system.
We are going to continue to talk about all of this in WGST 1808 and I am happy to talk about it with anyone via Zoom or in-person at Carleton. – Katherine Bausch
If you are looking for information on this National Day of Remembrance (this article contains detailed descriptions of violence and also national resources for support to talk about misogynistic and gender-based violence):
https://www.ona.org/news-posts/december-6/
If you are looking for supports at Carleton:
Carleton Sexual Assault Survivor Support:
https://students.carleton.ca/services/sexual-assault-support-services/
Carleton Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Services:
If you are looking for other community-based supports:
Under the Umbrella:
Somerset West Community Health Centre Support Line for African, Caribbean, and Black Communities:
MMIW Ontario:
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre:
https://wocrc.ca/programs-and-services/
For information and resources related to women with disabilities and violence:
https://www.dawncanada.net/issues/women-with-disabilities-and-violence/