Red Dress Day – also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples – is observed on May 5th each year.

This name comes from a powerful art project that raises awareness about the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples that represent an epidemic of gender-based violence and the continued effects of colonization on Indigenous bodies.

We honour this day thanks to Métis artist Jamie Black, who in 2010 began The REDress Project. A play on the word redress, meaning to remedy or set right, it began as an art installation that hung hundreds of empty red dresses in public spaces to remind people of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women and girls lost because of gender-based violence. Black’s project gained national and international attention and inspired a movement for change; it is effectively a call to action.

It is a day to pay tribute to lives and memories lost, to raise awareness about the root causes of this violence, and to demand justice and accountability for those impacted.

In line with our organization’s values of social justice, equity, and allyship, there are many ways we can take proactive steps to support Red Dress Day and its mission of advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, such as:

Awareness Campaign

• Utilize your communication channels to share educational resources, personal stories, and statistics highlighting the scope and impact of this crisis.

Fundraising

• Consider fundraising for or donating to organizations dedicated to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls, providing support services for survivors and their families, and advocating for systemic change.

Training and Education Offerings

• If able, offer cultural training for your clients and staff to deepen their understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and experiences.
• Since 2021, Pathways has been encouraging our clients and broader network to explore a suite of learning opportunities around Truth and Reconciliation, The Path. Developed by NVision Insight Group(NVision), a national Indigenous consultancy – The Path comprises several courses that build upon each other, beginning with Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada. Participants can register as a group, or as individuals, and NVision delivers modules online or in person. 
• This training can help foster a more inclusive and respectful organizational culture while equipping staff with the knowledge and tools to engage in meaningful dialogue and allyship with Indigenous communities.

* Pathways clients and candidates who register in The Path are eligible to take the course at a discounted rate. Pathways will also donate 10 percent of the registration fees to an Indigenous charity.   

Online or in-person events

• There are several commemorative events – such as learning circles or memorial walks – being held online or in-person across Canada. Check in with your local community or look online to see what is near you. A non-extensive list can be found here.

By actively engaging in Red Dress Day advocacy efforts, we demonstrate our solidarity with Indigenous communities and our commitment to justice, healing, and reconciliation. We should honour the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls by taking meaningful action to address the root causes of this violence and create a safer and more equitable future for all.

We cannot forget our lost grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunties, and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ members of our communities. We must work together to redress this violence and continue to advocate for days of commemoration like Red Dress Day.

Written by: Saxon Miller, Consultant