As part of our Indigenous Ministry led by the Reconciliation Team, we remembered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been murdered or have gone missing at a ceremony at the Peace Cairn. The focus was on raising awareness about the disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people. Red Dress Day, observed annually on May 5th, is a central part of this awareness effort. This day uses red dresses to symbolize the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and to encourage learning and action to address the violence they face. We gathered in ceremony, reflection, and unity to honour the stolen sisters, to hold space for their families and communities, and to continue calling for justice and systemic change.
We also displayed red dresses in Jubilee Park for the week prior to Red Dress Day. Each red dress represents a life taken too soon , a daughter, a sister, a mother, a friend. Their absence is deeply felt, and their spirits are never forgotten.
