Red Dress Day in the Peace

Monday, May 5th was the 15 annual Red Dress Day, continuing to raise awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.

Photo of Jenn Jack for Red Dress day.

Métis artist Jaime Black created a visual art project called the REDress Project in 2010, in an attempt to raise awareness for missing and murdered women and girls across Canada.

Red dresses were strategically placed in public spaces representing the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors according to a media release. The colour red was chosen after the artist was speaking with an indigenous friend who stated red was the only colour that spirits could see.

Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity and Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation released a statement on May 5th, stating, “the red dress, inspired by the work of Métis artist Jaime Black, is a symbol of loss for the women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people who have been murdered or are missing. Red Dress Day is a time of mourning to acknowledge the heartache of the family and friends of those taken too soon and a day to reinforce the need to end violence against Indigenous people.”

A walk of Remembrance and candlelight vigil was held in the North Peace on Monday, and the Centennial Park Stage was red to honour the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

By hanging red dresses and marching together, communities across Canada remember the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls who are no longer with us.

According to the government, more than six in ten (63%) Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault at some point during their lifetime.