UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering hosted campus community and guests at the annual 14 Not Forgotten ceremony on Dec. 1. The event offered solemn reflection, collective remembrance and a reaffirmed commitment to combating gender-based violence.
The ceremony honoured the 14 women murdered during the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, whose lives and aspirations were cut short by an act of misogynistic violence.
Event emcee Dr. Alon Eisenstein, Chair of the School of Engineering’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, shared how the names and stories of these fourteen women remain central to the annual memorial, grounding the campus community in the ongoing imperative to build a safer, more equitable society.
Speakers Dr. Louzanne Bam and Dr. Sumi Siddiqua shared powerful reflections on remembrance, resilience, hope and the work still required to advance equity across STEM fields.
A moving reading of the 14 biographies by student speakers followed—each story a poignant reminder of unrealized futures and the collective resolve needed to honour them through ongoing action.
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and closing remarks, inviting attendees to continue their reflection at the campus memorial installation or in the EME foyer throughout the day. The memorial fire bowl, For Future Matriarchs, remained lit for the day to symbolize both remembrance and hope.
The School is deeply grateful to all the students, faculty and staff who contributed to the thoughtful planning and organization of this event, as well as to all those who attended.
Photo Galleries
- View a photo gallery from the event.
- View a photo gallery of SoE students painting the E white in honour of the 14 Not Forgotten.
About the 14 Not Forgotten
UBCO’s 14 Not Forgotten Memorial commemorates the École Polytechnique tragedy that took place 36 years ago and honours the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. On December 6, 1989, an armed man entered an engineering classroom at Montréal’s École Polytechnique. After separating the men from the women, he opened fire—killing 14 women and wounding 10 others. In response, Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a reminder of the gender-based violence that persists today in Canada and around the world.