For the first time, Yukon women will participate in the Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering from Oct. 11 to 13, in Montréal.
Women from all over Canada — students, mothers, artists, scientists, workers — will support this event. They come together to celebrate feminist actions and progress. Also, they come together to motivate the young feminist movement, to discuss economic, religious, social and politic feminist questions.
Whitehorse women’s groups Les EssentiElles and Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre support the Yukon’s young women. I met with Julie Ménard, the French women’s group Les EssentiElles coordinator.
What’s Up: Julie, what exactly is the 2008 Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering and what’s the purpose of the event?
Julie M: The Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering is organized by Alliance des femmes du Québec. The organization invites future feminists, aged 14 to 34 year old. The last gathering was in 2003, but this is the first time there’s Yukon representation at the meeting.
This three-day experience gives participants the opportunity to exchange viewpoints about the social situations in which women across Canada find themselves. It’s also an occasion to give a new 2008 definition to feminism. Do we still have to call the movement feminism or has it become something else?
We also want to give a kind of rebirth to the fight for women’s rights.
What’s Up: Are there other issues that are being discussed at the conference?
Julie M.: Yes, they decided to gather at l’UQAM in Montreal because the promotion of the education of young women is another important issue of the gathering. There’s also an information session about Canadian female artists and the artistic expression of women in Canada.
What’s Up: Why is it important for the Yukon to send young women to this gathering?
Julie M.: The gathering will provide these women with self-esteem, ideas and information about interesting activities to develop Yukon feminists. They will have the chance to create a new network and learn about other realities. They will learn what kind of projects could give concrete support to the Yukon women statutes. This kind of experience will give motivation and a new dynamic to young girls.
What’s Up: Les EssentiElles and Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre is organizing fund-raising activities for the event. In the next couple of weeks, a series of activities is being offered by those two groups for Whitehorse people to add their support to the Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering. What are those activities?
Julie M.: The next activity is a Fancy Dinner by Chef Agnes formally Cranberry Bistro owner, Saturday Oct. 4 in the Community Hall of the Francophone Centre from 6 to 9 p.m.
The last activity will be a Yukon Women in Music event soon, near your home …
