For anyone who doesn’t know what this days means to women in Canada.
Today, I just read the list of the women who were killed at École Polytechnique on this day in 1989. Rather than their ages, this list was of their birth years.
They were my contemporaries. I don’t know why I never realized this until today. They would be in their 40s today.
My age.
In 1989 I was studying for my undergraduate degree at York University. I was in school part time and working full time.
I’d like to share a story of something that happened to me while studying and commuting to York once or twice a week.
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The New Democratic Party, of which I’m a reluctant member, is holding a leadership race to replace Jack Layton, who died of cancer in August 2011.
Here are my thoughts about the NDP in general. They are all still true.
Romeo Saganash is Cree, he’s a lawyer and MP, and he is a survivor of residential schools, the active colonial structure in which legal, spiritual, emotional and sexual violence was perpetuated on Aboriginal children and youth up until 1996, when the last residential school closed.
1996.
That’s 16 years ago. That’s not ancient history.
Disgusting and shameful.
Romeo Saganash is running for the leadership of the NDP. He was elected to Canadian Parliament in May 2011 for the riding of Abitibi–Baie James–Nunavik–Eeyou, in Northern Quebec.
Dear Renata,
I don’t know anything about you, but I do know some things about abusers, the cycle of abuse, and feeling trapped in a life with an abuser.
After the “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” debacle on Monday October 24, those of us who are against your husband’s draconian right-wing policies had a good laugh for a few days. Once again, your husband made a public fool of himself, proving to us once again that he isn’t fit to run for dog-catcher, never mind be the mayor of the largest city in Canada.
But I remember.
On the College streetcar heading to the people’s procession today, I pass Native Child and Family Services, holding an art sale. They’re raising funds, of course, for the organization, or a specific program. Toronto Police Headquarters is right next door. They aren’t having an art sale or a garage sale. They have all the funds they need.
………
At Queen and University I wait for my friends at the side of a building, crouched in some stingy shade, hiding from the hot sun until the last possible moment. Around me people wear orange. I pull out the flimsy orange, brown and white scarf I bought in Chinatown yesterday. It’s too girly for me to put it in my hair, so I tie it to my purse.
The police are here. On bikes, leaning against patrol cars. I look at them and think “I remember”.
One year and two months ago. I remember.
I jot down badge and car numbers just for the hell of it.
Part 1 June 2010
What more can I write about it that I didn’t write already?
Maysie on June 12 2010
Maysie on June 26 2010
Maysie on June 26/27 2010
So, what’s still outstanding? Some activists who were preemptively arrested are still in jail. Some of those that have been tried and released are subject to appalling parole terms that severely restrict their legitimate movements in their communities.
It seems the mass violation of the civil rights of over 1000 people was a smokescreen.
