brampton-smallMNO Credit River Métis Council President Karen Derocher speaking at the
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
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Submitted by MNO Métis Family Wellbeing Coordinator Catherine Corbett

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Credit River Métis Council (CRMC) citizens and MNO staff from the MNO office in Brampton participated in National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (NDRAVAW) on December 6, 2017, in Brampton.

NDRAWAW events took place at the Mississauga City Hall and were organized by the Peel Committee Against Woman Abuse (PCAWA) and sponsored by Interim Place, the City of Mississauga, United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Local 1006a, the Region of Peel and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

MNO CRMC President, Karen Derocher spoke a both the opening and closing ceremony and MNO staff members unveiled a Faceless Dolls banner that had been produced at a MNO workshop in October. Each doll on the banner represented the life of a woman or girl and symbolizes the united effort to end violence in all forms in the community.

As part of the event, participants viewed Fragments of Me, an exhibit on display at City Hall. The exhibit features original artwork reflecting thoughts and emotions surrounding violence against women. The exhibit toured the Peel area from November 25 to December 10. Following the NDRAVAW event, the Faceless Doll banner that the MNO had created was added to the Fragments of Me exhibit.

As with most NDRAVAW events, a Rose Vigil was held to commemorate the 14 women killed the École Polytechnique massacre on December 6, 1989. A brief biography of each woman was read as 14 roses were placed in a vase to remember them. The audience took part in a moment of silence for the women who senselessly lost their lives 28 years ago.

If you have any questions about the MNO Métis Family Wellbeing Program in the Peel Region, please contact Catherine Corbett at 905-450-4844 ex. 304 or catherinec@metisnation.org

If you have any questions about the MNO Community Wellness Program in the Peel Region, please contact Rose Colacci-Fines at 905-450-4844 ex. 305 or rosec@metisnation.org

Posted: January 24, 2018