Today, May 5, 2022, is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirited (MMIWG2S) and Red Dress Day. This national day of awareness follows the 2019 release of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“There are so many complex layers of historical injustice, myth, lack of understanding, trauma, and systemic imbalance that contribute to the painful reality that Indigenous women, girls, transgender and two-spirited individuals are at a much higher risk for experiencing all types of violence than non-Indigenous people,” said Board Chair Devonna Klaassen. “It is absolutely heartbreaking, and speaks to the urgent need for increased awareness, understanding, and change. Black Gold School Division is embracing this heavy responsibility, working to increase knowledge and understanding for students, staff, and families.”

“This day is a solemn reminder of the thousands of Indigenous women and girls across North America who are no longer with us,” said Vice Chair Esther Eckert. “They left behind loved ones. They were someone’s wife, daughter or mother. They no longer have a voice. This is our chance to remember and honor them.”

“It is inspiring to see in our schools and communities the increased awareness of the injustices done to other Canadians,” said Ward 3 Trustee Gary Hansen. “Only through greater understanding, empathy and action to end this ongoing tragedy will we begin to come together and heal as a society.”

Red is the official colour of the campaign, and was chosen after Jamie Black, an Indigenous Canadian multidisciplinary artist-activist best known for her art installation The REDress Project, had a conversation with an Indigenous friend who shared with her that the colour is really a calling back of the spirits of these women, allowing them a chance to be among us and having their voices heard through their family members and communities.

“You may see Red Dresses hanging in trees or off fences across our communities,” said Ward 1 Trustee Michelle Martin. “The dresses are empty, and they evoke the missing or murdered women who should be wearing them.”

“These dresses have a purpose and it breaks my heart to know that there are families who have experienced close loved ones go missing or murdered, without any kind of recourse,” said Ward 3 Trustee Angie Charpentier. “The dresses make the missing women real, and the red communicates blood, anger and love.”