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Gail Cyr leads a chant in front of city hall at the start of Yellowknife's 16th annual Take Back the Night march, a walk to raise awareness about family violence and violence against women. - Galit Rodan/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
As darkness fell Friday night an oppressive wind howled, threatening to drown out the voices of men and women shouting for change.

Or perhaps Mother Nature herself was accompanying the large crowd gathered to march through the streets, expressing solidarity with victims of family violence and violence against women, calling for an end to the societal scourge once and for all.

Either way, the indomitable spirit of the people persisted and triumphed against the inclement weather. Led by Gail Cyr, the Take Back the Night march weaved its way through downtown, starting in front of City Hall and passing several symbolic locations. It stopped at each for several minutes to listen to the inspiring words of speakers.

The march, hosted by the Coalition Against Family Violence, was part of Family Violence Awareness Week, running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7. This year's campaign focuses on the need for both men and women to work toward ending violence.

"We have the power! We have the right! The streets are ours! Take back the night!" hollered the crowd in unison, clanging on pots and pans and proudly holding up signs.

A large contingent from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which was holding a conference in town, had moved a social event to the next night in order to attend. Its members came equipped with red flags emblazoned with the group's logo. The bright, rippling flags made quite the spectacle.

The marchers' first stop was at the base of 51 Street, two blocks of which have been newly christened Angel Street. The street sign was officially unveiled over a year after city councillors voted on the matter and "after much consultation," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

"It gives us a great opportunity because people will come, see a sign that says Angel Street and they'll ask a question, 'Why do you have a street named Angel Street?' And it's our opportunity as a community to stand up and say that we're totally against violence against women and family violence," he said.

At the next stop, in front of the RCMP building, people huddled together and drew in close to listen to Const. Kathy Law speak from personal experience.

"After growing up in an abusive home, I'm so proud to say I made the choice to actively work toward making a change in our society and to not allow violence in my home," she said.

The march took on a political tone in front of the court-house. Julie Docherty, regional executive vice-president of PSAC North, blasted the Harper government and was received with rousing applause and a clanging of pots.

"We don't want your billions of dollars to build more jets," she shouted, overpowering the wind. "We want your billions of dollars to build our communities and keep our women safe."

Bree Denning, a victims services volunteer, addressed the crowd in front of her workplace. She emphasized the importance of male support for the cause, saying "Ending violence is not something women can do alone."

Denning spoke to the need to help women by listening to them and working with them for change.

"Restricting women's movements isn't the way to build a safer community," she said.

The walk went on. "Claim our bodies! Claim our rights! Take a stand! Take back the night!"

New to Yellowknife, Jen McHugh said it was her first time participating in Take Back the Night.

"One thing I've heard a lot about since coming to Yellowknife is the violence against women here and the issues surrounding it," she said. "So it's been really good, in the last week especially, just to get involved with lots of the things that have been happening."

Michael Desautels, an aboriginal rights officer with the visiting PSAC delegation, identified with the theme of the week.

"I'm here because I know that if there is going to be any change in the levels of violence against women, it's got to be men that take the lead," he said.

"And because I have three daughters I don't want them to live in a world where they have to deal with this legacy of violence against women that my father's generation and my generation have done little about."

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