Red Dress Day events to honour MMIWG2S
What started in one city as a way to bring attention to the high rates of murder and violence against Indigenous females and two-spirited people has become an annual event across Canada. Here are a few things to know about Red Dress Day and what to plan for around Saskatoon.
WHAT IS RED DRESS DAY?
Red Dress Day takes place annually on May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit People.
Red Dress Day dates back to 2010 and was inspired by a public art installation in Winnipeg by Métis artist Jaime Black, in which red dresses were displayed to bring attention to and represent MMIWG.
In Saskatoon, there is a permanent red dress installation in the lobby of city hall.
WHY WAS IT NECESSARY?
Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people are at a much higher risk of abuse and violence than other groups. The National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls found that Indigenous women and girls are five times more likely to experience violence than any other population in Canada, and 12 times more likely to be murdered or to go missing.
Indigenous women are also disproportionately represented in rates of police-reported intimate partner homicide — and nowhere in Canada are those rates higher than in Saskatchewan.
WHAT EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE IN SASKATOON?
Several events are scheduled in the city between Friday and Sunday.
■ A calling home ceremony is set for Friday at 9 a.m. at city police headquarters. The event will include a pipe ceremony and gathering.
■ The Office of the Treaty Commissioner hosts an MMIWG education session Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Zoom.
■ Also on Friday, a red dress installation takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the campus bowl at the University of Saskatchewan. The day will include hands-on activities and making red dress pins. Parts of the display will be moved to Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre for the weekend.
■ Wanuskewin will host a beaded red dress earrings workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
■ A screening of Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy runs Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Remai Modern.
WHEN IS THE AWARENESS WALK?
The annual awareness walk takes place Sunday at 2 p.m., starting and ending at the Vimy Memorial along the riverbank. The event is organized and led by community members, with support from the U of S, City of Saskatoon, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Metis Nation-saskatchewan.