Red Dress Day Ceremony

Red Dress Day, observed annually on May 5th, is a national day of remembrance and activism in Canada honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+). Inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, it involves hanging red dresses in public spaces to symbolize lost lives and call for justice against gender-based violence. 

Amnesty International Canada

Key Aspects of Red Dress Day:

• Significance: It serves as a visual reminder of the disproportionately high rates of violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.
• Symbolism: The color red is used because it is believed to be the only color spirits can see, acting as a link to victims and helping their spirits find their way home.
• Action: Supporters wear red, hang red dresses on trees, windows, or fences, and participate in events to raise awareness and support affected families.
• Origin: The day was inspired by the REDress Project art installation created by Metis artist Jaime Black in 2010.
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Why it Matters:

• Awareness: It draws attention to the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
• Justice: It calls for action on the recommendations of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Remembrance: It creates a space to honour the victims and support their families

In Perth – A Red Dress Ceremony is held on May 5th at 5.30 at the Indigenous Healing Circle in Last Dual Park, Craig Street off County Road 43. The Red Dresses will be hung in the park. The Indigenous led ceremony includes drumming, a pipe ceremony and recognizing the tragedy of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Please consider increasing the community awareness of the continuing crisis of the violence and numbers of Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S+) who go missing by wearing red on May 5th and/or hanging a Red Dress on your property.