May 05, 2021, marks Red Dress Day, 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 address the gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous women, and girls. The project is meant to confront the presence of this epidemic by marking the absence of those impacted by this violence 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.”
This year MNBC brings awareness to Missing and Murdered Women and Girls, and reminds community to consider the impacts on the Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer community members who experience the samesocial, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes that contribute to ongoing violence and genocide, compounded by homophobia and transphobia.
MNBC recognizes and elevates the good work that is happening from different levels of organization, from grassroots community care to community governance, to provincial and federal levels of government.
Region Two Women’s Representative, Carmen Carriere, and Fraser Valley Metis Association President and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative, Pixie Wells, have been creating space for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks to gather and celebrate each other in community.
“The work that needs to be done by our Nation as a whole as the lives of our women and 2S+ communitypast and present need the strength of the Nation behind them to bring about real change.” - Carmen Carriere
“It takes a seed for something to grow, gifted to us by sky Women's daughter. Companions like the Three Sister Story.
The Women of our Nation being the corn strong and Matriarchal holding up our Youth like the beans that climb and grow on them to maturity, well the 2SLGBTQQIA+ the Squash protecting the balance of the life cycle. Together we support the strength and benefits of lifting each other up, to flourish safely without harm.” - Pixie Wells
MWBC and MNBC pledge to honour the day by advocating for MMIWG2S+ and committing to the 231 Calls for Justice and the 31 2SLGBTQQIA+ Specific Calls for Justice.
How to participate and raise awareness for MMIWG2S and Red Dress Day:
1. Read through the 31 2SLGBTQQIA+ Calls for Justice and commit to supporting one of the calls.
2. Wear red on May 5 and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #RedDressDay along with your commitment to ending violence.
3. Host in-person or virtual community gatherings to build strong community connections.
4. The Metis are known as Otipemisiwak “people who govern themselves,” support and respect individual autonomy while we care for ourselves and each other.
5. Celebrate Indigenous joy, culture and identity.
6. Elevate the Metis values that everyone should be loved, cared for, and have access to safety.
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)