GENEVIÈVE BERGERON, 21 · HÉLÈNE COLGAN, 23 · NATHALIE CROTEAU, 23 · BARBARA DAIGNEAULT, 22 · ANNE-MARIE EDWARD, 21 · MAUD HAVIERNICK, 29 · BARBARA MARIE KLUEZNICK, 31MARYSE LAGANIÈRE, 25 · MARYSE LECLAIR, 23 · ANNE-MARIE LEMAY, 27 · SONIA PELLETIER, 28 · MICHÈLE RICHARD, 21 · ANNIE ST-ARNEAULT, 23 · ANNIE TURCOTTE, 21

NEVERforget

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020, ISSUE 17

ARTICLES OF INTERESTHow the Racism Baked into Technology Hurts Teens12 Simple Things You Can Give To A Women’s Shelter That Will Drastically Change LivesCanada is asking families of murdered, missing Indigenous women to wait for action plan. Why? Women in the Black Lives Matter Movement: Stories From Our Current MomentTop 10 Lesbian Movies 2020 at the Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Film Festival

2020 Victims of Femicide—National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against WomenDecember 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. Many women, especially those under 30 years of age, do not remember the significance of the Montreal massacre. They do not remember that 14 women engineering students lost their lives, simply because they were women. They do not know their names.

Femicide is an international disgrace. In Canada alone, women are killed by men every day. The numbers are staggering and the fact that Indigenous women are missing and perceived murdered at a rate of 5,000 women per year is appalling. This is Canada’s national crisis. On December 6, we take time to commemorate, not only the 14 women who were murdered in Montreal but also the many, many women who have been killed by men since December 6, 1989.

We continue to push for a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Girls. We are close to a plan being put in place. The Canadian Labour Congress along with Shelters Canada has created a blueprint with the federal government and it is moving forward. Of course, this plan will not be perfect and there will be roadblocks put in place by the provinces and territories. But this is a start.

This December, take a moment to remember the 14 women who were murdered in Montreal because they were women. Remember their names. But also, remember the names of the 112 women, on record, who were killed by men, so far, in 2020.

GENEVIÈVE BERGERON, 21 · HÉLÈNE COLGAN, 23 · NATHALIE CROTEAU, 23 · BARBARA DAIGNEAULT, 22 · ANNE-MARIE EDWARD, 21 · MAUD HAVIERNICK, 29 · BARBARA MARIE KLUEZNICK, 31

MARYSE LAGANIÈRE, 25 · MARYSE LECLAIR, 23 · ANNE-MARIE LEMAY, 27 · SONIA PELLETIER, 28 · MICHÈLE RICHARD, 21 · ANNIE ST-ARNEAULT, 23 · ANNIE TURCOTTE, 21

JAMAISN’oublions

STATUS OF WOMEN, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020, ISSUE 17

Our latest partnership with White Ribbon— Preventing child sexual exploitation

and sex trafficking

This bilingual, digital learning resource offers all Secondary School Educators tools, resources and lesson plans to discuss child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in their classrooms through preventative, safe and positive learning experiences. We truly believe in the life-changing impact that teachers and education workers bring to our youth and invite you to participate in the eradication of child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking by using this resource.

White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls and to promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.

Through this project, White Ribbon created a digital resource to provide educators with the necessary tools, resources and knowledge to prevent child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

Working with multiple stakeholders, community partners and OSSTF/FEESO educators, White Ribbon developed eight lesson plans to support educators in having preventative, meaningful, and life-changing conversations with their students to ensure their safety and well-being.

About White Ribbon

Recommended reads from the Provincial Status of Women Committee

UntamedGrenndon Doyle

More Myself: A JourneyAlicia Keys

We Have AlwaysBeen Here

Samra Habib

All Our Relations:Finding the

Path ForwardTanya Talaga

Policing Black Lives: State Violence in

Canada from Slavery to the Present

Robyn Maynard

STATUS OF WOMEN, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020, ISSUE 17

21 things you may not have known about theIndian Act

From the book, 21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconcilliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph.

(some portions of the act have now been amended)

1. Denied women status

2. Introduced residential schools

3. Created reserves

4. Renamed individuals with European names

5. Restricted First Nations from leaving reserve without permission Restricted First Nations people from leaving the reserve without permission from Indian agent

6. Enforced enfranchisement of any First Nations admitted to university

7. Could expropriate portions of reserves for roads, railways and other public works, as well as move an entire reserve away from a municipality if it was deemed expedient

8. Could lease out uncultivated reserve lands to non-First Nations if the new leaseholder would use it for farming or pasture

9. Forbade First Nations from forming political organizations

10. Prohibited anyone, First Nations or non-First Nations, from soliciting funds for First Nations legal claims without special license from the Superintendent General (this 1927 amendment granted the government control over the ability of First Nations to pursue land claims)

11. Prohibited the sale of alcohol to First Nations

12. Prohibited sale of ammunition to First Nations

13. Prohibited pool hall owners from allowing First Nations entrance

14. Imposed the “band council” system

15. Forbade First Nations from speaking their native language

16. Forbade First Nations from practicing their traditional religion

17. Forbade western First Nations from appearing in any public dance, show, exhibition, stampede or pageant wearing traditional regalia

18. Declared potlatch and other cultural ceremonies illegal

19. Denied First Nations the right to vote

20. Created permit system to control First Nations’ ability to sell products from farms

21. Created under the British rule for the purpose of subjugating one race— Aboriginal Peoples

STATUS OF WOMEN, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020, ISSUE 17

OSSTF/FEESO believes that the union has a role to play in assisting members who are experiencing workplace sexual harassment, intimate violence, and abuse.

Therefore, OSSTF/FEESO is demonstrating this commitment by announcing our new Women’s Advocate Program.

The Women’s Advocate Program coming to a District Near you!

Women’s Advocates will be available in each District to support you!

Women’s Advocates are not counsellors. They are specially trained volunteers who can provide support for women who may need assistance accessing workplace supports and community services or resources.

Women’s advocates are currently being trained to work with members who are living with domestic violence. They have not yet been deployed in their districts.

Watch for our official launch announcement in 2021.

For more information, please contact Tracey Marshall at Provincial Office.