MMIWG2S+ Red Dress Day Event

Red Dress Day is a National Day of remembrance and activism in Canada honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+).

Red Dress Day is observed annually on May 5th and was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette’s REDress Project, which began in 2010. The project involved displaying empty red dresses in public spaces to symbolize the lives of Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or gone missing, drawing attention to the disproportionate rates of violence they face in Canada.

The MacKenzie Art Gallery is hosting a community engagement event on Sunday, May 3, to honour Red Dress Day, featuring guest speakers: Jaime Black-Morsette, Tracey George-Heese, Agnes Yellowbear, and Chelsea Nokusis, who will share their stories and art that reflect their work and awareness of the Red Dress project.

The day serves as both a remembrance and a call to action, highlighting the ongoing crisis of gender-based and racialized violence against Indigenous communities. According to Amnesty International Canada, Indigenous women and girls make up less than 5% of Canada’s population but represent approximately 24% of female homicide victims. Red Dress Day also aligns with the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which documented systemic causes of violence and proposed solutions.

Participants honor MMIWG2S+ through various symbolic and community activities, including: Displaying red dresses in public spaces, windows, or museums. Wearing red clothing or accessories such as dresses, earrings, or painted red hands. Marches, memorials, and ceremonies to remember loved ones and raise awareness. Art installations and educational events to engage communities and allies. These activities aim to make the crisis visible, foster solidarity, and encourage advocacy for justice and systemic change.

Red Dress Day also emphasizes the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, which contribute to the high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It is a day to listen to stories, commemorate strength, and support healing within Indigenous communities. By participating in Red Dress Day, individuals and communities contribute to raising awareness, honouring the lives of MMIWG2S+, and advocating for meaningful social change.

Event Schedule
1 PM — Opening Prayer and Welcome
1:15 PM — Introduction of Speakers
1:20–1:40 PM — Jaime Black-Morsette (live via Zoom), Founder of the REDress Project
1:40–2 PM — Tracey George-Heese
2–2:10 PM — Wellness Break
2:10–2:30 PM — Chelsea Nokusis
2:30–2:50 PM — Agnes Yellowbear
2:50–3 PM — Wellness Break
3 PM — Closing Remarks

Image credit: Faye Heavyshield, Red dress, 2008, nylon, cotton, metal, and paper tags, glass beads. Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.