The Vision of Mothers’ Union states, in part, ‘…Our movement seeks to bring about justice, challenge prejudice and advocate change.’
Gender-based violence happens 365 days of the year, not just on the 16 Days of Activism against it in November. It is a curse that takes many forms. One of those forms is the abuse and murdering of indigenous women and girls and two spirit people. Indigenous women are seven times more likely to be murdered by serial killers than non-indigenous women. The RCMP reports that violence against indigenous women and girls is pervasive, taking place in the home and in the streets of Canadian cities, and that the perpetrators include indigenous and non-indigenous men alike.
For the past 13 years, May 5 has been a significant date in Canada. It is Red Dress Day, a day of which many people are not aware. But we should be aware and not forget to acknowledge what has happened and is still happening to our indigenous people.
Do we remember the statistics surrounding the MMIW? In 2014 we were shocked to learn that over a three year period there were recorded 1,181 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Indigenous groups say the toll was probably more like 4,000.
I remember churches gathering to ring their bells 1,181 times in recognition and memory of those lives lost, fuelled by gender-based violence and racial prejudice. That was 9 years ago, and like many shocking events, our memories of them begin to fade as other crises grab our attention.
There is, however, one person in particular who helps the world to remember all those MMIW. That person is Jaime Black, a Metis artist, who in 2010 created a REDress art installation project. It consisted of many empty red dresses hanging outside to represent the missing and murdered women. Red was chosen for the dresses because it is powerful and eye-catching, and represents both vitality and violence.
With her REDress Project, Black hoped to give these indigenous women a much-needed voice, while educating others who may not be aware of what had been, and still is, going on. Her project is now a permanent exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg; other dress exhibits travel around the country. The term MMIW has expanded to MMIWG2S to include girls and two-spirit people.
Red Dress Day was first commemorated in 2010. It is also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People. The day honours and brings awareness to the thousands of indigenous women, girls and two spirit people who were subjected to violence. It raises awareness of the crisis and calls on governments to address gender-based and racial violence throughout our country. Commemorations vary from community to community, but generally people wear red and hang red dresses from trees and doors. Some communities hold marches and/or vigils.
In the 2014 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, of the 94 Calls to Action, #41 addressed the issue of disproportionate violence towards indigenous women and girls and it called for the creation of a public inquiry into the crisis.
In June 2019, the final report of the inquiry called the MMIWG2S a “tragedy of epic proportions”. Two hundred and thirty-one additional Calls For justice followed, their aim being to address, end and redress the crisis. This work continues and Red Dress Day, on May 5th, is a reminder to keep that work going.
Black says it has been surreal to watch the spirit of her REDress Project evolve and grow over the past decade. “The more work that we do, the more awareness there is,” says Black. She adds that the red dresses can be “whatever we need them to be,” whether we have a personal connection to them or not. “If a family needs a place to come and connect to their loved one, the dress can do that for them. If we need to be educated, those dresses become a teacher,” she says. “The dresses always tell a different story … those dresses have such a powerful presence. They are a reflection of the power and strength of the indigenous women that have come before us,” says Black. “When people walk by the red dresses, they cannot ignore them.”
On or around May 5 hang a red dress or dresses on your church property to acknowledge and celebrate the strength of our indigenous peoples and to make others aware of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit Persons who have lost their lives due to racial, cultural and gender bias.
Note: find a red dress at a used clothing store or, at the very least, use red fabric or scarves instead. As a further step, include a brief, laminated note of explanation with the dress/scarf.
For more information visit https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/red-dress-day/
