Woman fundraising for mural to commemorate JoAnn Wilson

A master's degree student thinks the story of a convicted murdererhas overshadowed the memory of his Regina victim and she wants to change that.

As part of her sociology thesis on changing attitudes towarddomestic violencesince 1983, AliciaYashcheshen had the idea to commemorate JoAnnWilson.

Once we talk about it, it gives it power to stop it.- AliciaYashcheshen

Wilson was former Saskatchewan cabinet minister Colin Thatcher's ex-wife. In 1984, Thatcher was sentenced to life in prison for Wilson's murder. He was granted parole in 2006.

Yashcheshensaid it'sThatcher, his political careerand the role he played in society, that people know most about. She said Wilson's death has become sensationalized because of Thatcher.

"Oftentimeswe forget about the woman, the victim,how her legacy was cut short," Yashcheshensaid. "She didn't have an opportunity to make her life meaningful."

At first, Yashcheshenwanted a sculptureinstalled at the Legislative Building grounds. Then she heard of a downtownmural depicting theRegina restaurateurRobertGardikiotis. It inspired her to commission a mural instead, which she hopes will be displayed prominently in Regina's downtown.

"I want everyone to rememberJoAnnWilson because she's an iconic image [and]that no one is immune from domestic violence," she said.

Yascheshensaid people often have a belief that domestic violence is limited to certain classes of people.

Raising awareness

Manitoba's and Saskatchewan's rates of domestic violence are twice the national average.

Yashcheshensaid corrective steps need to be taken to stop domestic violence and help those affected.

"Tell somebody,"Yashcheshenurged those who are affected.

She hopes the mural will let people know Wilson's murder is not an isolated event and that it will start a dialogue about abuse.

"Once we talk about it, it gives it power to stop it," she said.

AGoFundMepagehas been set up to raise money for the mural project.