INUVIK
If you're going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.

Jenel Zabala struts his stuff down Mackenzie Road Saturday morning. Zabala was nominated by his coworkers in the rehab department at Inuvik Regional Hospital to dress up for the event and was given the title of "best outfit." - Meagan Leonard/NNSL photo

This was the sentiment behind the inaugural Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march held last Saturday.

The international event provides men with the opportunity once a year to raise awareness in their communities about the serious repercussions of family- and gender-based violence.

Victim services coordinator Alli McConnell said she wanted to bring the event to the community because domestic abuse continues to be a major issue in the Northwest Territories.

"I didn't think there was a lot of opportunities in our community for men to really stand up and show their support for women and take a stand," she said. "I was really impressed and excited about the overwhelmingly positive response that I got."

Around 100 people showed up at the Centennial Library to make the mile journey down to Jim Koe Park. McConnell said the committee decided not to make the event a fundraiser this year because they weren't sure how popular it would be - but as it turns out, men are pretty willing to strap on some fancy footwear.

"It was really easy to get volunteers to wear the heels," she said. "I'm going to make them walk longer next year because they were too fast. Now that I know how good they are ... I might make it a bit harder."

She said the red shoes adorning many feet were specially-designed men's pumps the committee ordered in from the U.S.

"We now have 24 pairs of mens high heels and we will be able to use them every year," she explained, adding they also designed red T-shirts for participants to wear.

As they crossed the finish line, many of the attendees developed a newfound respect for women.

"Next time you take a lady dancing and she says she wants to sit down because she's tired, listen to her," Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Alfred Moses quipped as he removed his red shoes.

"I haven't worn heels since I was four years old and would put on my grandmother's and wear them around the house," Jimmy Ruttan said. "But I'm glad to see so many people out - the support is amazing."

While many laughs were had as brave participants wobbled their way down Mackenzie Road, it did not underscore the seriousness of the issue they came out for.

"In the last five years, we've had nine domestic and family violence deaths that could have been prevented," said Moses. "There's a lot of things that happen and we can intervene and stop it."

He said everyone has seen or been affected by domestic violence in some form and although the event focused women specifically, there are many more issues at play.

"It can also happen to males in the relationship, children, parents, grandchildren and also someone of the same gender," he said. "None of these are acceptable and we need to speak up and talk about it."

Mayor Floyd Roland said the subject hits close to home for him and emphasized it is not the sole responsibility of police and other authorities to make a difference and put a stop to it.

"We need to take charge in our communities and be the example to our children," he said. "Let's not (focus) on things that have happened, lets deal with the fact we can make things not happen ... by telling our children, the youth in our communities what is acceptable and not acceptable."

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