May 5, 2022 (Surrey, BC) - Red Dress Day is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+).
The REDress Project began in 2010 when Indigenous artist Jaime Black put up art installations of red dresses in Manitoba to represent the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Since then, the project has been installed throughout North America to address the gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGTQQIA+ people by confront the presence of this epidemic by marking the absence of those impacted by this violence. The project continues to commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirits from First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Native American communities by hanging empty dresses.
The colour red was intentionally chosen after Jamie Black had been in dialogue with an Indigenous friend who shared with her “[Red] is really a calling back of the spirits of these women and allowing them a chance to be among us and have their voices heard through their family members and community.” Red also symbolizes “our lifeblood and that connection between all of us.”
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls started in the spring of 2015 with final findings published in June 2019. The National Inquiry was an examination of social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes that contribute to ongoing violence and genocide of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The report contains 231 Calls for Justice, legal imperatives that need to be taken by governments, organizations and Canadians citizens in order to end the systemic and societal violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The Calls for Justice came from over 2,300 testimonies, including some from Métis women and girls. Métis witnesses who testified emphasized the need for greater awareness of Métis issues, distinct realities, and the need for practical supports for Métis families.
MWBC and MNBC pledge to honour the day by advocating for MMIWG2S+ and committing to the 231 Calls for Justice and the 29 Métis-Specific Calls for Justice.
How to participate and raise awareness for MMIWG2S and Red Dress Day:
- Read through the 29 Métis Calls for Justice and commit to supporting one of the calls. For example, Jana Schulz, Region 4 Women’s Representative said: “I am committed to women by continuously advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people, and for the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice. I strive to stand up to injustice, racism, inequities, inequality, and discrimination. I use my voice daily to challenge systems that continue to increase risk and harm to our women, girls and 2SLGTBBQQIA+ people.”
- Wear red on May 5 and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #RedDressDay along with your commitment to ending violence.
- Host a virtual community event, prayer circle, or candlelight vigil. For example, host a virtual beading workshop for your community.
- Post a list of names of sisters and 2SLGTBBQQIA+ missing or murdered from your community.
- Create a living memorial to honour those lost.
It is important to keep the conversation and awareness alive regarding ongoing experience of violence for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGTBBQQIA+. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this experience as women suffer the greatest impact in job losses, challenges in accessing childcare and a sharp increase in domestic violence in the home.
Join Métis Women BC and Métis Nation BC in showing your commitment to keep awareness and dialogue about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, going.
Visit the National Inquiry’s Final Report and 231 Call for Justice for information, and visit Ending Violence Association of BC for access to regional resources and services. Learn the Signal for Help.
If you or someone you know is in crisis:
VictimLinkBC Toll-Free Number 1-800-563-0808 (Call or text)
Trans Lifeline Toll-Free Number 1-877-330-6366
Métis Crisis line at 1-833-Metis-BC (1-833-638-4722)
Region 4 Women’s Representative, Jana Schulz, has been part of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ and National Families and Survivors Council. She has identified the following Calls for Justice as priority: 1.2; 1.6; 1.7; 3.5; 17.3; 17.4; 17.28.
1.2 We call upon all governments, with the full participation of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, to immediately implement and fully comply with all relevant rights instruments, including but not limited to:
- ICCPR, ICESCR, UNCRC, CEDAW,and ICERD, as well as all optional protocols to these instruments, including the 3rd Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
- American Convention on Human Rights: specifically, that Canada ratify the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women.
- All the recommendations of the 2015 UN CEDAW Inquiry Report and cooperation with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on all follow-up procedures.
- All recommendations made by international human rights bodies, including treaty-monitoring bodies, on causes and recommendations to address violence against all, but specifically Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals.
- UNDRIP, including recognition, protection, and support of Indigenous self-governance and self-determination, as defined by UNDRIP and by Indigenous Peoples, including that these rights are guaranteed equally to women and men, as rights protected under section 35 of the Constitution. This requires respecting and making space for Indigenous self-determination and self-governance, and the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples to all decision-making processes that affect them, eliminating gender discrimination in the Indian Act, and amending the Constitution to bring it into conformity with UNDRIP.
1.6 We call upon all governments to eliminate jurisdictional gaps and neglect that result in the denial of services, or improperly regulated and delivered services, that address the social, economic, political, and cultural marginalization of, and violence against, Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
1.7 We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, to establish a National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson, with authority in all jurisdictions, and to establish a National Indigenous and Human Rights Tribunal. The ombudsperson and tribunal must be independent of governments and have the authority to receive complaints from Indigenous individuals as well as Indigenous communities in relation to Indigenous and human rights violations, and to conduct thorough and independent evaluations of government services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people and communities to determine compliance with human and Indigenous rights laws.
3.5 We call upon all governments to establish culturally competent and responsive crisis response teams in all communities and regions, to meet the immediate needs of an Indigenous person, family, and/or community after a traumatic event (murder, accident, violent event, etc.), alongside ongoing support.
17.3 We call upon all governments to ensure equitable representation of Métis voices in policy development, funding, and service delivery, and to include Métis voices and perspectives in decision-making, including Métis 2SLGBTQQIA people and youth, and to implement self-determined and culturally specific solutions for Métis people.
17.4 We call upon all governments to fund and support Métis-specific programs and services that meet the needs of Métis people in an equitable manner, and dedicated Métis advocacy bodies and institutions, including but not limited to Métis health authorities and Métis child welfare agencies.
17.28 We call upon all governments to provide increased victim support services specific to Métis needs to help Métis victims and families navigate the legal system and to support their healing and well-being throughout the process of seeking justice.