City designates important weeks

At the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday, two weeks with a focus on reducing violence in the community were unanimously declared.

The first; Anti Bullying Week was supported after a request came from the Community Council at St. Mary's School.

Dominique Holstein explained the week, this year Nov. 18-22, is in its second year at the school, with the focus this year looking at the positive aspects of being a buddy, nit a bully.

Councillor Randy Goulden made the motion in support of the week, noting "we know this is a concern across the country and across the world."

Council also heard a request Monday from the Yorkton Partnership Against Violence Committee.

"We are here this evening to request the week of Dec. 1 - 7, be declared as "Violence Awareness Week" - Leaders of our Future," stated LaVern Dumka, a committee member from Shelwin House.

"This week also encompasses the tragedy that occurred on Dec. 6, 1989 when a lone gunman shot and killed 14 female engineering students at a University in Montreal. In 1991, Dec. 6, was designated the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

"It is with sadness, that we report that the services of Shelwin House are required more and more each year. Violence knows no boundaries. It affects people of all walks of life. Statistics Canada in 1994 reported that one in four women is abused by their partner. This report is only from reported cases."

Tanya Parsons, an outreach worker at Shelwin House said it is important to raise awareness, in particular with young people.

"We believe that education, community action and awareness is key starting at a very young age to learn that violence is never acceptable and that there are alternatives to violence," she said.

"During the week, Shelwin House will be visiting local agencies to express our gratitude for their support and partnership in our goal to reach zero tolerance towards violence

"We plan to partner with students from Dr. Brass and the Yorkton Regional High School in the Candlelight Vigil The students of today are our future leaders. It id paramount that knowledge is brought to the younger generation in the many forms of societal violence."

A time and place for the Vigil were not available.

There will also be information available to the public.

"We will have a display set up at the Yorkton Parkland Library with information of violence," said Parsons.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. the public will be able to view the video "Its Not like I Hit Her." On Thursday Dec. 5, from 1:00 - 2:00 in the afternoon the public will be able to view the video again.