Today marks Red Dress Day, the national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) in Canada.
The day serves as both a remembrance of those lost and a call to action to end the ongoing violence facing Indigenous communities.
The red dress has become a powerful symbol of this movement, inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black.
Across the country, red dresses are hung in windows and from trees to represent the lives taken and the deep pain felt by families, friends and survivors.
Events and displays held on Red Dress Day aim to raise awareness of the crisis, and call on individuals, communities and governments to act to ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
The colour red is used intentionally—many Indigenous cultures believe red is the only colour spirits can see.
It is both a visual reminder and a spiritual call to bring the spirits of the missing home.
In Red Deer, local organizations and institutions are hosting events and displays to honour the day.
The Urban Indigenous Voices Society is holding a walk and gathering in honour of all missing and murdered Indigenous people—women, girls, men, boys and Two-Spirit.
The event takes place today at Common Ground, 5581 45th St.
- 4 p.m.: Pipe ceremony led by Elder Corky Larsen-Jonasson, with drummers and singers
- 5 p.m.: Community walk from Common Ground to Safe Harbour and back
- A feast will follow the walk
At Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus, a collection of red dresses will be displayed across the campus grounds.
The installation is a visual representation of the often-invisible violence faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Red Deer Polytechnic Library will also feature a curated collection of books about MMIWG2S+.
The collection offers opportunities for learning, reflection and remembrance.
Red Dress Day continues to be a grassroots, community-led effort that centres the voices of Indigenous people, particularly women, girls and Two-Spirit individuals. It is a day of mourning, but also of resistance, education and hope for justice.
For more resources and to learn more, click here.
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