The McMaster University Anti-Violence Network is hosting a memorial event Monday
for the McMaster community to mourn the loss of women who have died violently – a
subject that Carol Wood says should never be overlooked.

“It's incredibly important for the campus community to gather together in remembrance
of such tragic events,” said Wood, an ecumenical chaplain with the University's
chaplaincy centre. “Issues surrounding violence against women need to be talked
about, and events like this give us that opportunity.”

Monday is known nationally as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence
Against Women, commemorating the 1989 fatal shootings of 14 women at Montreal's
Ecole Polytechnique.

This year's event will include a conversation with Mohawk/Irish actor, singer and
songwriter Cheri Maracle, from Six Nations, as well as Ojibway actor, singer, writer and
educator Shandra Spears Bombay. They hope to bring awareness to the number of
indigenous women who have been murdered or gone missing in Canada.

“More than 500 indigenous women have been murdered or gone missing. We want to
bring attention to issues such as these that are sometimes not adequately discussed.”

The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. in Convocation Hall, University
Hall Room 213. For more information contact the McMaster Anti-Violence Network at
avnmcmaster@gmail.com.