Gender-based violence remains an epidemic both in Canada and globally. Every year, on December 6, Acadia University pauses to pay tribute to The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It is a day to remember those who have been victims of gender-based violence, but also to come together as community to commit to action.

As has been happening for over a decade, the ceremony will include student musicians, talks by community members who deal directly with gender-based violence like Chrysalis House and the Mi'kmaw Family Healing Centre..

Additionally, according to Women and Gender Studies (WGST) planning committee member, Dr. Erin Crandall (Politics), every year fourteen Acadia students recite the names of the fourteen women who were murdered in a mass shooting at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal 35 years ago. This is followed by a moment of silence.

What makes this event unique is that, according to Dr. Laurie McNeill, a gender and sexuality researcher from U.B.C., less than twenty years after the massacre, many universities have cancelled their memorial services due to a lack of interest.

“I am grateful that Acadia has continued this tradition, even though the Montreal Massacre happened long before the students who now read the names of the dead were even born,” says Dr. Wanda Campbell, from Acadia’s English department.

Another important aspect of Acadia’s event is Campbell’s own involvement in the ceremony. At the inaugural event, Campbell read a poem by a 17-year-old author, but in the decade since, she has been reading her own poetry.

With the belief that poets should use their gifts to speak out against issues that affect the lives of women including domestic violence, Cambell said it was important for her to contribute.

“I teach two writing by women courses cross-listed with WGST and, as the mother of three daughters, these concerns remain close to my heart,” says Campbell.

For inspiration, Cambell says what began with a single poem about the victims of December 6 has widened each year to include other examples of femicide the world over until, she said it felt like the annual placing of a stone on the ever-growing cairn of remembrance.

For this year’s ceremony, Crandall says they have compiled Cambell’s poems into a published collection entitled, “A Cairn of Poems”. It will be available for sale at the Acadia Bookstore and at the ceremony for a donation of $10 or more with all proceeds going to the local women’s shelter, Chrysalis House, and the Mi'kmaw Family Healing Centre.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, December 6, at 4 pm at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market, and is open to the community. The event is co-sponsored by WGST and the Office of the President of Acadia University.