As it was across Canada and in more than 80 countries around the world, the National Day of Mourning was marked in the community of Snow Lake by a gathering of 30 or so people in front of the local Miner's Memorial.
Most of these same people gather each April 28 to ensure that workplace deaths, and those affected by injuries and disease are not forgotten, but there were also some new and welcome faces in the crowd this year. Many of these folks see the National Day of Mourning as their chance to remember lost and injured co-workers, friends, and family.
Additionally, those within the labour movement recognize it as a day on which they can renew their commitment to fighting for safer workplaces, and in the process, ensuring no further workers have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Sadly, even though unions and their membership from across the country revere the day and what it symbolizes, only three, USW, IAM, and CUPE, were represented at Snow Lake's service.
The short, sombre ceremony began with an address from the Snow Lake Mayor Clarence Fisher. He recognized the day; what it stood for, and spoke of the history of workplace standards and how they have evolved.
Following the mayor's address, Phyllis Verbeek spoke to the gathering, complementing Fisher's points, while bringing forward some of her own painful history in respect to how losing her husband Clarence to a workplace accident affected their family. Verbeek touched many in the crowd with a firsthand perspective and noted that her late husband Clarence was the last mine worker to perish in a local mining accident - 22 years ago.
Subsequent to these two addresses, the names of each worker who lost their life in the local mines since 1936 was read aloud as a bell tolled for each one of them. After a moment's silence, the laying of the wreaths commenced.
Verbeek laid the first in memory of her beloved husband, Clarence Funk. Pamela Stoupe and her brother Randy Brew followed, laying their wreath in memory of their father, Bruce Brew. Steelworker Garnet Coulson representing USW Local #7106 placed their wreath in memory of fallen and injured brothers and sisters. Pamela Stoupe of CUPE Local #8600 followed, placing a wreath in memory of fallen and injured brothers and sisters. Fisher laid the town's wreath in memory of fallen and injured Snow Lake citizens. Next, Lois Charron of the Royal Canadian Legion came forward placing her wreath in memory of fallen and injured Canadian soldiers.
Const. Jason St. Pierre and Const. Robert Koprowski in red serge dress uniforms, laid their wreath in memory of fallen and injured RCMP officers. Next, Amanda Perret of the Snow Lake Hospital Auxiliary laid a wreath in memory of fallen and injured Snow Lake citizens. Finally, Riley Eastman of the Machinist's Union IAM #1848 laid the last wreath in memory of fallen and injured brothers and sisters.
At the close of the ceremony, attendees were invited for refreshments and fellowship at a Town of Snow Lake and USW #7106 sponsored reception in the Lawrie Marsh Hall.
