This Sunday marks the one year anniversary of one of Canada’s deadliest mass murders. On April 18 and 19, 2020, a man dressed as an RCMP officer and driving a look-alike RMCP vehicle went on a rampage that left 22 people dead, and many others shattered.
Though the approach of the anniversary has been agonizing for the family and friends of those who were killed, some are taking steps to make the anniversary about healing, and remembering those lost.
Susie Tector fondly remembers her friend, Lisa (Kierstead) McCully from their days together in Sackville. The two met in their first year at Mount Allison University when they both lived in the same residence. They went on to play rugby together, among other things, and grew a friendship that outlasted university life. Tector describes Lisa as, “a bright light in the world.”
“She just really knew who she was, what she wanted, what was important to her,” says Tector. “She just had this self assurance that sort of let her be kind of silly and goofy and all these other things. She didn’t really care what other people were doing or expected of her. She knew what was right and wanted to do that, and wanted to make the world a better place.”
“I know everyone thinks their friends are wonderful,” says Tector, “but you know, I think she really was objectively special.”
Tector says she had a lot of sadness and anger about what happened to Lisa and the rest of the victims at Portapique, but she wanted to make sure that the shooting would not be how Lisa was remembered.
“And of course, it won’t be how she’s remembered,” says Tector. “Her children, her family, her friends, her students. They’re going to continue on her legacy. They’re going to remember who she really was.”
In the spirit of keeping her positive legacy alive, Tector has founded a bursary program through Mount Allison University.
It “seemed like the perfect thing,” says Tector, because of her ties to Lisa through their time at Mount A. With some coordination through the school’s alumni and giving office, the Lisa Kierstead McCully Memorial Bursary will be offered to a Mount A student in financial need from New Brunswick.
Tector says she spoke with Lisa’s family to get their blessing, and “they were really happy to have something done in her name.”
“Obviously, it’s great for the student who gets it, but then also for her family every year, they’ll get a letter from the recipient,” says Tector. Recipients will also receive information about Lisa and her life and why the bursary exists, says Tector. “They’ll know, just every year, that this is some little piece of Lisa that carries on, in a way.”
Tector has reached out on social media and via email to the class of ’93, as well as Mount Allison’s women’s rugby alumni. (Full disclosure from the writer of this story: I’m a member of the class of ’93 as well.) The fundraising to establish the bursary is going well so far, says Tector. “People have been amazing,” she says.
The initial goal is $25,000, in order to establish an endowment that can be invested, and replenish itself over the years, she explains. If it grows beyond that, then the bursary will be able to give even more every year, says Tector.
People can donate through Mount Allison, at this link.
Hear the full interview with Susie Tector here:
Other activities are afoot to remember the victims of the massacre in Nova Scotia, and help the healing of family and friends.
On Sunday, a fundraising race will wind its way through Colchester county ending in Victoria Park in Truro, where a memorial ceremony will take place. Funds raised will go towards the Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society to establish a permanent memorial in memory of the victims.
Ten Nova Scotia psychologists have also offered up their services for free to those in need. Susan Marsh, the executive director of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia, told Global News that anyone who finds their mental health is being impacted by the anniversary of the massacre will have access to free sessions with a psychologist.
People are asked to call 902-422-9183 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday to arrange an appointment.
And anyone needing help in New Brunswick can also call the CHIMO helpline at 1-800-667-5005
