Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 07/01) - On Dec. 6, 1989, a man walked into Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal armed with a gun.

He shot and killed 14 women: Genevieve Bergeron, Sonia Pelletier, Anne-Marie Lemay, Michele Richard, Anne-Marie Edward, Maryse Leclair, Maryse Laganiere, Annie Turcotte, Barbara Maria Klueznick, Barbara Daigneault, Annie St. Arneault, Nathalie Croteau, Helene Colgan, Maud Haviernick.

Lyda Fuller, president of the YWCA and Ingrid Kritsch, during the moment of silence during a Dec. 6 vigil at the legislature's Great Hall. - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

"For many of us today Dec. 6 is as important as Nov. 11, because it marks the ongoing eternal war against women," said Mary Beth-Levan, activist and guest-speaker at a vigil held in the Great Hall at the legislative assembly on Thursday.

Around 80 people gathered in the sun-drenched hall, holding candles and remembering those 14 women who have come to symbolize the plight of millions of women around the world.

"Women are killed in homes and in coloseums in Afghanistan," said Levan.

Six women chanted a prayer to begin the ceremony.

The Mildred Hall children's choir sang We Are the Young.

"We are the young, the children of the world, the promise of a brighter day," they sang.

A brighter future is what many women in attendance hoped to find.

"I hope one of these days women are given their rightful place," said RCMP Corp. Charlotte Joa.

With candles lit a moment of silence fell on the audience and people closed their eyes.

"These 14 women, who had mothers who carried them in their wombs, we pray for them," said Karen Hoeft in the closing prayer.

"Let it be so. Amen."