December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day, we remember the 14 female engineering students murdered at École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989, and all the victims of gender-based violence.
The week of December 5, we look to remember and honour their legacy by continuing the conversations and taking action to end gender-based violence. Throughout the week, NAIT will be sharing resources, hosting a remembrance vigil and installation, and creating a community gathering to imagine a future without gender-based violence.
The Installation - "14 Empty Chairs"
Tuesday, December 6 I 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM I CAT Crossing
Dec 6, 1989 left 14 empty chairs at École Polytechnique in Montréal. Empty chairs that once held students, murdered simply for being women. We invite you to read about and reflect on the lives of these vibrant young women and how positions of gender-identity, sexuality, ability, race, citizenship, and Indigeneity uniquely positions each for the risk of gender-based violence.
Commemoration Event
Tuesday, December 6 I 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM I CAT Crossing
NAIT and the Ministry of Culture invite you to join this special event that honours the 14 female engineering students who were murdered at École Polytechnique in 1989. Hear remarks from Tanya Fir, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women, Deputy Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions Bev Yee, Deputy Minister of Advanced Education Lora Pillipow, along with guest speaker Carrie Vos, Program Controller at Women Building Futures and a memorial, led by NAIT's President and CEO, Laura Jo Gunter.
Sharing Circle: Imagining a Future Without Gender-based Violence
Wednesday, December 7 I 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM I CAT202
Join our sharing circle and visioning session, as we explore how to create a safer and violence-free world for all of our community members.
Register today
How NAIT is confronting gender-based violence
Confronting gender-based violence is vital to NAIT’s success. A new Gender Based and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response policy and procedures were sent to NAIT's Board of Governors for approval. The new policy and procedures recognize that sexual violence can happen to and be committed by individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or relationship status.
NAIT is committed to providing a supportive place for those who wish to make a report about gender-based and sexual violence they have experienced or witnessed across our learning, working and social environments.
Related pages and resources