Day of Mourning: Action, Remembrance, Awareness

Every April 28, Canadians mark the National Day of Mourning. Ceremonies will take place coast to coast, remembering lives needlessly lost or changed irrevocably.

Each of our family members experiences Day of Mourning differently. Some may not be able to attend a ceremony every year if they have to work that day. Some may attend a ceremony alone, while others couldn’t imagine attending without their family and friends. Some (our volunteer speakers) may be sharing their story at a ceremony, while others choose to share memories with loved ones only. We asked three of our family members to share with us what Day of Mourning means to them.

Tracey on action: Tracey’s dad Earl died from injuries sustained when he fell from a ladder at his job as the meat manager at a grocery store. Hear Tracey share why Day of Mourning is a reminder of taking action to ensure that no one else dies, is injured, or becomes ill as a result of going to work.

Donna on remembrance: Donna’s son David was killed instantly when a forklift he was refueling suddenly lurched forward and pinned him to the edge of an open shed door. Hear Donna share why she takes a moment to reflect each Day of Mourning on the real people who lost their lives at work—and what she’s doing this year to encourage others to remember, too.

Leica on awareness: Leica’s son Jordan drowned after the excavator he was operating at the bottom of a borrow pit suddenly fell through the ice. Hear Leica’s story of spreading awareness about Day of Mourning in unlikely places.