Inuk woman remembered for her compassion and kindness at Montreal vigil
CBC
Heather Ravel first met Elisapie "Elizabeth" Pootoogook in Montreal's Cabot Square four years ago, and she remembers the 61-year-old Inuk woman as "a very loving woman."
"She never had anything bad to say about anyone," Ravel said.
Ravel spent Monday afternoon handing out flowers to those who attended a vigil in honour of Pootoogook, who was found dead at a construction site near the corner of Atwater Avenue and René-Lévesque Boulevard on the morning of Nov. 13.
Pootoogook sometimes came to Montreal for medical treatment from Salluit, one of Quebec's northernmost communities, nearly 2,000 kilometres from the city.
Investigators determined that the woman was not the victim of a crime and the case was transferred to the coroner's office for further investigation.
Ravel said she was homeless when she first met Pootoogook, and years later they would hug every time they saw each other.
She remembers giving Pootoogook her jacket and gloves one winter, when it was particularly cold.
"There should be more shelters around here for the homeless," said Ravel, as a few dozen people gathered in Cabot Square with flowers and photos of Pootoogook.
During the vigil, some people spoke, sharing memories of her life. There was drumming, singing, crying — and police officers standing watch nearby.
David Chapman, executive director of Resilience Montreal, knew Pootoogook for about eight years.
He said she would come to Montreal for medical treatment, go to see friends and often end up on the streets with no place to stay, dodging security in the Atwater Metro station in an effort to keep warm.
Her body was found not far from the Metro station.
Chapman said Pootoogook's death was "totally preventable."
"What we need is more accessible shelter spaces," said Chapman, and the warming tent in Cabot Square isn't enough. A permanent indoor space is needed, he said.
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