Latest news with #DayofMourning
Ammon
21-05-2025
- General
- Ammon
Circassians mark Day of Mourning with cultural commemoration
Ammon News - Every year on May 21, the Circassian community in Jordan joins Circassians around the world in commemorating the Day of Mourning — a solemn remembrance of the end of the Caucasian War in 1864. This year, the Circassian Charity Association (CCA) hosts a commemoration in Amman, bringing together community members in traditional dress to honour their ancestors, share oral histories and reaffirm cultural identity through dance, food and storytelling. A cultural cornerstone Founded in 1932, the CCA is one of the oldest community institutions in Jordan. 'The association was established by Circassian students who had studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo,' said Ibrahim Ishaqat, president of the CCA. He noted that the association currently has around 7,000 members and operates several branches across the Kingdom, including a dedicated women's branch. Its headquarters in Amman houses a number of key facilities such as a traditional kitchen, a cultural and conference hall, a library, a school, and training centres. Tradition in practice In the association's kitchen, traditional dishes are prepared regularly for community events. Among the most iconic is chepse and pasta — a hearty Circassian dish made from bulgur, flour and other staple ingredients, often served on special occasions as a symbol of hospitality and cultural pride. These culinary traditions are passed down through generations and serve as a key expression of cultural pride. Music and dance are also essential components of community life. The Qafa dance, for example, is a signature Circassian group dance characterised by upright posture, precise steps and circular movements. It is often performed during weddings and formal gatherings to symbolise unity, discipline and grace. Voices of continuity For many Circassians, cultural preservation begins at home. 'We speak our native language at home to keep it alive for the younger generations,' said Sirine Shhlatough, an elder member of the association. 'I teach my grandchildren to respect elders and women — these are Circassian values. We also hold gatherings to share our stories and keep our culture alive,' she added. These personal efforts complement the institutional role played by the CCA in providing a platform for community engagement and intergenerational exchange. A legacy of leadership Ishaqat also highlighted prominent Circassian figures like former prime minister SaeedMufti and minister Wasfi Mirza have been associated with the CCA, reflecting the community's contributions to Jordan's development while maintaining cultural distinctiveness. A living heritage As Jordanian Circassians mark the Day of Mourning each year, the event serves not only as a memorial, but also as a celebration of cultural resilience. Through language, dance, cuisine and values, the CCA plays a vital role in safeguarding cultural identity and ensuring it is passed on to future generations. Jordan Times
Hamilton Spectator
28-04-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Father, mother, daughter, 5, killed in Vancouver festival attack, leave son behind
VANCOUVER - Richard Le sent a text to his 16-year-old son on Saturday at about 8 p.m., saying the rest of family would be leaving the Lapu Lapu Day festival shortly, instead Le, his wife Linh Hoang and their five-year-old daughter Katie were run down moments after the text was sent, Le's brother said Monday. Police and witnesses have said a black SUV raced down a street lined with food trucks, scattering people in its wake, killing 11 and injuring dozens of others, some of whom remain in hospital in critical or serious condition. A 30-year-old Vancouver man has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and police have said more charges are likely as victims are identified. Toan Le started a fundraiser on behalf of his brother, sister-in-law and niece, saying his nephew, Andy, only survived because he decided to stay home at the last moment to finish his homework. Le said in an interview that they learned Saturday that Richard had been killed, but detectives told the family Sunday that Hoang as well as Katie Le, who was just about to graduate from kindergarten, had also been killed. He described Katie has 'super energetic,' saying 'she had a very lovable personality, and she really loved just being around people.' Le said his sister-in-law was a dedicated mother to Katie and step-mother to Andy. 'She's a really good person,' he said. Richard Le sold real estate for a Vancouver firm and coached badminton and tennis. 'If I was to tell my brother and to everyone else, just cherish your loved ones and your friends, family, because you never know when they might not be around and you won't have a second chance. So, take advantage of the time you have (with) them and cherish those people that you love,' he said. Le said Andy is in a state of shock, trying to absorb everything, and that his life has changed over just a few days. A statement from Royal Pacific Realty, where Le worked, said it has received an 'outpouring of shock, grief, and condolences from colleagues, friends, and clients who knew and admired Richard.' A teacher-counsellor from suburban New Westminster has also been identified as a victim in the festival attack. Kira Salim's loss has left their friends and colleagues shocked and heartbroken, said a statement issued Monday from the superintendent at the New Westminster school district. 'Kira was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle- and secondary-school students had a powerful impact,' it said. 'Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives.' The sitting at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on Monday began with a prayer by Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Kiel Giddens, who addressed the national Day of Mourning for injured and killed workers, as well as the victims of Saturday's attack. Speaker Raj Chouhan then led the members in a moment of silence for those affected by the ramming before adjourning the session until Tuesday. RJ Aquino from Filipino BC, which organized the Lapu Lapu festival, told a crowd at a vigil on Sunday night that the community is confused, devastated and numbed by the tragedy. Aquino said there are many people who witnessed the attack, and others who lost loved ones or were hurt will need care and support. The accused in the rampage remains in custody. His next court appearance has been scheduled for May 26. Vancouver Police have said the attack was not an act of terror. While they didn't have a motive, they said the suspect has had multiple mental health interactions with their officers. B.C. Premier David Eby told a crowd of mourners before the vigil that people across the country and around the world are thinking about them. 'I can't imagine the heartbreak that all of you are feeling,' he said. Aquino said his group is working around the clock to put together an information page that will let people know how to get help and support. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2025.
CBC
28-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
National Day of Mourning for killed workers held at Confederation Building
It's been six years since Terri Murphy got the call that her son Jonathan Murphy, 24, died while working as a pipefitter in Alberta. The accident happened one day after the National Day of Mourning for those killed or injured on the job. "He attended the Day of Mourning event that day," Murphy said. "On [April 29], the day after the Day of Mourning, he was dead as a result of a workplace accident." On Monday, Murphy laid a wreath in Jonathan's memory during a ceremony held at the Confederation Building in St. John's to mark the tragic occasion. "Jon was working his dream job as a pipefitter," she said. "This was the last day of their work rotation. Jonathan was flying home at 5:30 p.m. with hopes of buying his first home the next day." Murphy lost her son just hours before he was supposed to fly home. "Jonathan was pronounced dead at 3:10 p.m.," she said. "All of our dreams for Jonathan. Gone." According to WorkplaceNL, 26 people in the province lost their lives while working in 2024 — an increase of 11 people compared to 2023 numbers. The theme of this year's National Day of Mourning is workers demanding action on invisible injuries and hazards. CUPE 1560 president Greg Rockwood said the public must broaden its understanding of what it means to be safe at work. "Not all dangers and hazards can be seen, and not all wounds leave scars that we can touch," he said. "Mental health challenges. Chronic stress, Toxic workplace cultures and occupational PTSD are just as real and just as life-altering as physical injuries." Jessica McCormick, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, is calling on the provincial government and WorkplaceNL to make health and safety records more transparent. "In Newfoundland and Labrador, the health and safety records of employers are kept out of the public eye, unlike in other parts of the country, and this needs to change," McCormick said. While corporations can be held criminally liable for workplace deaths and injuries, she said, few charges are laid, and when they are, major corporations can easily pay the fines. "When criminal negligence leads to death, people must be held accountable," she said. The federation is also calling for the establishment of an occupational health clinic to help workers manage, prevent, and respond to occupational illnesses.
Cision Canada
28-04-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Canada's Building Trades Unions Statement for the 2025 Day of Mourning
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada's Building Trades Unions, is calling on workers and employers across the construction industry to take a moment this Day of Mourning to honour workers who have been injured, fallen ill, or lost their lives on the job—and to renew our shared commitment to building safer workplaces for all. The 2025 Day of Mourning is Monday, April 28th. "On the National Day of Mourning, Canada's Building Trades Unions stand shoulder to shoulder with workers across the country to remember those we've lost to workplace accidents and occupational illness," said Executive Director Sean Strickland. "This year, we're putting a spotlight on trenching safety—because no one should face life-threatening risks doing the job they're trained for. Our focus is, and always will be, on making sure every worker gets home safe at the end of the day." Trenching accidents—some of the most preventable yet devastating incidents in construction—have been a tragic and recurring concern across skilled trades in recent years. Strickland added: "No one should lose their life in a preventable trench collapse. Raising awareness, improving training, and enforcing safety standards must be a top priority." According to the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, 1,057 workers lost their lives due to workplace incidents in 2023—the most recent year for which complete data is available. "Despite the progress we've made, construction remains the fourth highest occupation group for workplace fatalities, at a rate of 20.2 deaths per 100,000 workers," said Robert Kucheran, Chair of the Canadian Executive Board of Canada's Building Trades Unions. "We cannot accept these numbers as inevitable." "We must remember the dead and continue to fight for the living," says Strickland. "One life lost on the job is one too many—and it's on all of us to make sure no worker ever has to face that risk alone." About Canada's Building Trades Unions For more information, go to Canada's Building Trades Unions are an organization representing 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations and generate six per cent of Canada's GDP. CBTU's mission is to advocate for public policy and work opportunities that benefit our members and improves the living and working conditions for construction workers across Canada.
Global News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Election day is here as Canadians cast ballots after record advance turnout
After a campaign that lasted 35 days, Canadians head to the polls Monday in a federal election punctuated by record-breaking early voter turnout, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats and his repeated attacks on the country's sovereignty with calls to make Canada the 51st state. Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault spent the past month traversing the country vying for votes. Story continues below advertisement The Liberal party holds a four-point lead heading into Monday, according an Ipsos poll done exclusively for Global News that was released Sunday. Preliminary early voting turnout figures from Elections Canada estimate that 7.3 million Canadians voted early, a 25 per cent increase from the 5.8 million voters who cast their ballots early in the 2021 general election. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Throughout the five-week campaign, Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has pitched himself as offering a steady economic hand amid the threats posed by Trump's tariffs. Poilievre, a career politician, honed in on crime and the high cost of living as key focuses, while Singh pushed to uphold government-funded social safety nets he says are under threat. Trump's tariffs — part of his larger global trade war — and his calls for Canada to become a U.S. state weighed heavily on the campaign, to such an extent that Carney took several detours off the trail to act in his capacity as caretaker prime minister. Story continues below advertisement On the final full day of the campaign, a deadly vehicle attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver led all major party leaders to hit pause and offer condolences. At least 11 attendees were killed, and many others were wounded in the incident. On election day, Carney will be in Ottawa, as will Poilievre, with both expected to cast their ballots Monday. The Conservative leader will remain in the region close to his Carleton riding, a seat he has held since 2004, but that has come under threat in this election. Singh will hold a campaign event in Port Moody, B.C., and will then attend an event to mark the Day of Mourning in Burnaby. Global News' network-wide election night broadcast will air live on April 28 across the country at 7 p.m. eastern/4 p.m. Pacific. The special will be hosted by Dawna Friesen alongside senior national affairs correspondent Eric Sorensen and chief political correspondent David Akin, who will bring viewers up-to-date information throughout the evening and results across Canada's key ridings. Joining the election night team is host of Canada's No. 1 political show, The West Block, Mercedes Stephenson, as well political panelists including former federal labour minister Seamus O'Regan, former federal transport minister Lisa Raitt, former federal NDP finance critic Nathan Cullen, former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and more. Story continues below advertisement Covering the campaign headquarters on election night are Global News journalists Mackenzie Gray, Touria Izri, Neetu Garcha and Mike Armstrong. — With files from The Canadian Press
