Red Dress Day - Wear red and help end a national tragedy

Eight red dresses sway in the wind within a stand of birch trees.

It’s an eerily compelling image Jaime Black, a multidisciplinary artist of mixed Anishinaabe and Finnish decent, included as part of her REDress Project.

What is Red Dress Day?

Launched in 2010, the REDress Project laid the foundation for what would become Red Dress Day, a national day of awareness held on May 5 every year for Canada’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

Why red?

It is commonly believed in Indigenous culture that spirts can only see bright colours and that red, in particular, is a link, a lifeblood to ancestors who have been stolen or suffered harm, a way for them to find their way home, so that their spirit, at least, can be laid to rest.

What difference can I make?

You can help put an end to the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.

You can work to ensure that Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People have access to their fundamental rights to safety, security, and equal protection under the law.

You can acknowledge the suffering and provide survivors, families, and loved ones with a way to let Canada know that their loved ones were cherished human beings who continue to be missed, remembered, and mourned.

On May 5, in an act of reconciliation, wear red to honour Canada’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

This Red Dress Day and every day support the survivors and families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. Use your power and creativity to find ways to support Indigenous and other organizations that are standing up against systemic racism, inequity, and inequality.

Do your part to end this national tragedy

This Friday, May 5, U of R’s ta-tawâw Student Centre will be hanging red dresses around campus. Wear red to honour Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people, survivors, families, and loved ones. Let’s end this national tragedy, together.