What is the importance of May 5th as it relates to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?

May 5th, 2023

Known as Red Dress Day, May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirit, and gender diverse people across Turtle Island, in what is now known as North America. The day serves, not only as a reminder to honor and remember the lives of Indigenous people who have gone missing or have been murdered, but to raise awareness and commit to ending this gender-based violence. The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirit, and gender diverse people is a call to action for both the nation and the world to seek justice for those who have been affected by this ongoing issue. You can learn more by reading the Final Report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Red Dress Day originates from the REDdress art installation by Métis artist Jamie Black. This art installation hanging, empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women, girls, 2 Spirit, and gender diverse people in communities across Turtle Island. Red dresses have become the national symbol of the crisis as a result of her installation.

Wear do we wear red?

Wearing red is a symbolic action to draw attention to the issue of MMIWG2S+. The color red is believed by some Indigenous cultures to be a powerful color that can connect with the spiritual world. The artist chose the colour red after speaking with an Indigenous friend who told her that is the only colour spirits can see. Red dresses are used to call the spirits of their past loved ones, as a way to remember and honour them. Wearing red dresses, ribbons, or other red items serve as a way to honor those who have been taken from their communities and to demand justice and accountability for the violence committed against them.