Red Dress Day is a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) and is observed annually on May 5th.
Indigenous women and girls in Canada are disproportionately affected by violence and are over-represented in the rate of women that are murdered and go missing. The rate of homicide of Indigenous women is five times higher than non-Indigenous women.
To raise awareness on this injustice, Jaime Black, a Métis artist, launched The REDress Project in 2014. The installation art project involved collecting and hanging 600 red dresses symbolizing the hundreds of Indigenous women and girls whose lives were stolen.
PSAC’s National Indigenous People’s Circle partnered with Jaime Black to develop the Red Dress Pin in solidarity with all the Indigenous women who have been a victim or survivor of violence.
PSAC Ontario stands in solidarity with Indigenous women, girls, two-spirited people, and their families who have been affected by this tragic violence and trauma.
We encourage awareness to support knowledge, and action to demonstrate reconciliation. Please consider attending an event in your area on May 5th to show your solidarity, which you can find Here.
In Solidarity,
Michelle Woods, Indigenous Members Representative – PSAC Ontario Regional Council