Red Dress Day 2023, Canada
May 5th is Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. According to Ontario’s Federation of Labor, half of all Indigenous women have been sexually abused, assaulted or raped in their lifetime. Canada’s National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls equates the violence to “a race-based genocide of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, which especially targets women, girls and 2SLGBT2QIA people.”
Red dresses are on display across Canada today to recognize the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. It has become known as Red Dress Day and the empty garments serve as a symbol of lives that have been lost. Each year events, rallies and art displays raise awareness to the situation facing Indigenous girls and women in Canada.
Ministers Miller, Hajdu, Vandal and Ien issue a statement of support on Red Dress Day 2023.
From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Statement
Ottawa, Ontario (May 5, 2023) — Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor; and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth; issued the following statement:
“The Red Dress reminds us to uphold and honor the memory and spirits of all missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls (MMIWG) and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, plus (2SLGBTQI+) people. Our thoughts are with the families, survivors and communities affected by this national crisis, as well as all other victims of violence towards Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. We acknowledge the courageous voices of families and survivors who have shown unwavering dedication in finding truth, ensuring justice for loved ones, and protecting the seven generations ahead.
Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s The REDress Project, an art installation providing powerful and emotional visual reminders of the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. The installation focuses on the hanging of red dresses to highlight the absence of loved ones who lost their lives to the national crisis of gender-based violence.
We invite you to join us in wearing red today to honour both the women and girls who have been taken and their families and friends who continue to live with the tragic effects and loss of their loved ones. We are committed to working in partnership with Indigenous families, survivors, leaders, and partners, as well as with provinces and territories, to make transformational change that will end this national crisis.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) was a beginning, not an end. We must all do better for families, survivors and communities. The federal government is committed to learning from the wisdom of our Indigenous partners in a way that respects our shared priorities. We will continue to use the Federal Pathway, the National Action Plan, the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice, and the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence to lay the path forward for our work.
Red Dress Day marks an important reminder that we all have a responsibility in ending the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. As communities across the country gather, to march and commemorate their loved ones, we march with you in spirit from Ottawa. We must never forget the pain and suffering inflicted on the victims, their families and communities, but rather commit together that we will be relentless in our efforts to create safety for all Indigenous girls, women and 2SLGBTQI+ people, no matter their circumstances. Only then will the memories of those lost be honoured.”
Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day is observed annually on May 5.
“Dangling limply on hangers without women to wear them, the dresses are visual reminders of the thousands of missing Indigenous people in Canada,” describes the Globe. “Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women in Canada, and 16 times more likely to be killed or disappear than white women,” according to a Globe story.
Teens Remember Red Dress Day
In a report by CBC News, Canada, the site published a story of Winnipeg teens, Grade 12 students, Katie Prosolowski and Chloe Telenko, who are prioritizing Red Dress Day at their school.
“People need to understand that this is still happening, that Indigenous women and girls are still going missing,” said Chloe Telenko, who is Red River Métis and whose grandparents and great-grandparents went to residential schools.
“As a young Métis woman, I feel like it’s my responsibility to be a leader in the school and to show my culture to other students who aren’t aware,” said Chloe.
“I’ve made these red dress earrings. We’re teaching students how to bead and make ribbon skirts. We’re also doing smudging,” she said.
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