Take Back The Night March shines spotlight on issue of violence against women, community safety

Tim Brody -  Editor

Sioux Lookout’s 28th Annual Take Back The Night March took place last Thursday evening, shining a spotlight on the issue of violence against women as well as everyone’s right to be safe and live free from violence and abuse in Sioux Lookout.
Participants marched through the downtown core carrying signs and calling out messages condemning violence.
Beginning at the Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment, the march continued to Front Street, on to Sixth Avenue, turned onto King Street, and ended at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre for refreshments and snacks.
The event was organized by Sioux Lookout’s Violence Action & Awareness Committee (VAAC) which consists of several organizations in the area including First Step Women’s Shelter, Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, Ah-Shawah-Bin Victim Support Services, Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle, Nahnahda-Wee-EE-Waywin, Northwestern Health Unit, and St. Andrew’s United Church.
The Sioux Lookout Bombers Jr. A hockey team took part in the march to show their support.
Sioux Lookout Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone shared, “I think it’s truly important. You never know the people close to you who are affected by things like this, probably a lot more than you might expect. So, I think it’s important for us to be out here and just be a part of it, showing our support.”
Staff and students from Pelican Falls First Nations High School (PFFNHS) also took part in the march.
PFFNHS Vice-Principal Nathan Hunter explained, “We came with myself, and another chaperon, came with seven students and we were met here by a couple of other Pelican staff members on their off time.” 
He shared, “A few of us staff just thought it was an excellent event for our students to have representation for our communities and the population that we serve and the families that they come from… To have our students come out and be advocating for women’s rights and speaking up for the rights of women was just an important cause.” 
First Step Women’s Shelter Program Manager Carmelia Agustin shared said it was great to see the Sioux Lookout Bombers and PFFNHS students and staff join in the march, “I think it was great…  I was really happy about that.”
Agustin said, “Ever since COVID women are not coming as they used to but we’re starting to get more call… I know that violence hasn’t stopped. I think they’re just choosing to stay with their families.”
First Step Women’s Shelter can be reached at  807-737-1438 or 1-800-465-3623 24 hours a day, seven days a week.