Red Dress Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Posted on: May 4, 2022

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May 5 marks National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirited peoples (MMWIG2S) also known as Red Dress Day. In Canada, Indigenous women, girls and 2 spirited peoples are targeted for violence more than any other group. Between May 1 and May 5, you will see red dresses hanging which act as a visual reminder of all of the missing women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

On May 5th, we remember the people who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence and their families and communities that live daily with the grief of losing loved ones.

In May 2019, a 1,200 page report from Canada was released on the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and 2SLGBTQQIA peoples. The report, Reclaiming Power and Place, includes over 230 recommendations that serve to address the deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses that are the root cause behind Canada's staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

To learn more, please visit the following links:

The Disappearance of Angeline Pete – Stories of the Unsolved

What can you do to help raise awareness?

  • Hang a red dress in your window or yard.
  • Wear red and post to social media. Use hastags such as #MMIWG, #MMIWF2S, #RedDressDay, #WhyWeWearRed, and #NoMoreStolenSisters
  • Talk with your family and friends about MMIWG2S
  • Participate in local walks and events to raise awareness about MMIWG2S

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These support resources are available for Island Health staff, medical staff and volunteers who need them.