May 5 is Red Dress Day in Saskatchewan, a national day of awareness to honour and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ (MMIWG2S+) people.
The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing crisis of violence faced by Indigenous communities across Canada and calls on all residents to take an active role in ending gender-based and racialized violence.
"On Red Dress Day, we stand alongside the families and communities impacted by interpersonal violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ people," said Eric Schmalz, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. "Our government is working toward a safer future for all by providing funding opportunities to organizations and grassroots initiatives that empower awareness and safety in Indigenous communities."
The province is currently accepting applications for its MMIWG+ Community Response Fund, a $800,000 initiative supported jointly by the Ministry of Government Relations and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). The fund aims to support projects that enhance safety and reduce violence in Indigenous communities.
"As we work to help prevent violence that disproportionately affects Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people, it is important for us to honour the people we have lost," said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross.
In its 2025–26 budget, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $31.7 million to interpersonal violence programs through the Ministry of Justice. An additional $3.8 million will be distributed over the next two years to support 16 agencies involved in violence prevention, as part of a federal-provincial partnership under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
"Red Dress Day is meant to draw attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ and to honour their families," said Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod. "As a government we have taken numerous steps to create safer communities, and develop and support education and prevention programs that decrease violence and discrimination."
A national support line is available for anyone affected by the ongoing impacts of MMIWG2S+: 1-844-413-6649.
More information about the MMIWG+ Community Response Fund is available at saskatchewan.ca.