History of the Monument Education Project

In February 2004 Phoenix Transition Society received funding to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of a Monument to murdered and missing women and children in the North. Our objectives for having a Monument were to give people the opportunity to mourn the losses and honour the memories of women and children who were lost through violence against them. And to recognize and celebrate all the women and men who work towards ending violence against women and children. Through networking with Prince George organizations, individual people and families who have lost loved ones through violence we received the support and encouragement to continue with the work towards Prince George having a Monument which would have the names of women and children who have been murdered or gone missing.

As the project evolved it became clear to us that we needed to increase the public's knowledge and understanding of "gender based" violence and the increased risk faced by Aboriginal women and children. Violence against women and children is pervasive in our society and it is our responsibility to continue to work towards change and ending the violence.

Recommendations

  1. Phoenix Transition Society to continue the implementation process for the Monument to murdered and missing women and children. Continue networking to build a solid base of support and understanding of violence against women and children, from a cross sector of communities and organizations in the North. Continue to network with women's and Aboriginal organizations in mobilizing for change and understanding the multiple oppressions and systemic discrimination. Develop culturally appropriate strategies to end violence against Aboriginal women and children. Strive for inclusiveness in working with men to recognize their responsibility and ability to work together with women in prevention of violence against women and children.
  2. Seek approval from the City of Prince George for a site for the Monument. And the City to support the Monument design as a public arts competition through the City's Public Art Policy.
  3. Continue with the process of submission of names and gathering information/stories from surviving family members. Continue with interviews and apply an analysis of barriers and gaps in victim services. The experiences as told by the families are a vital component to gaining insight into effecting change in the justice system and in developing prevention of violence strategies.
  4. Collaborate with women serving agencies in Prince George to develop a Communications Model with a prevention mandate that starts at the Board level and filters down through the agency. Make prevention of violence a priority to effect change. Continue with participation on the Violence Against Women in Relationships Committee in coordinating public education events such as International Women's Day, Prevention of Violence Week, (the Flower Ceremony), Take Back the Night and December 6th.
  5. Develop a fundraising process for the Monument.
  6. Create partnerships with the media so that anti violence campaigns continue. Engage in discussions with the media around the responsibility of the media in reporting to ensure that issues of violence against women and children are reported in a manner that promotes respect for women and children.