From awareness to action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People is recognized annually on May 5. The day is also known as “Red Dress Day” and it carries deep sorrow, love, accountability and responsibility.  

This day was established because there is an ongoing crisis in Canada of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people and the issue is often overlooked and forgotten — hence the urgent need for awareness and action.  

Many people observe the day by hanging empty red dresses in public spaces, following the lead of Red River Métis artist and activist, Jaime Black, who created the REDress Project.  

Red dresses hang from a tree in BC Mathews Hall Green in 2023.

“We display [the red dresses] empty in public spaces so that people are confronted with both the violence that women are experiencing but also the presence and power of Indigenous women,” says Black, in a YouTube video featuring the REDress Project at the National Museum of the American Indian.  

Indigenous women make up a disproportionate number of missing and murdered persons in this country. According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence. Indigenous women make up 4.3 per cent of the population of Canada, and yet, they represent 16 per cent of all female homicide victims, and 11 per cent of missing women. While 56 per cent of Indigenous women have suffered physical assault and 46 per cent have experienced sexual assault.  

Additionally, according to the Government of Canada, Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered in comparison to non-Indigenous women in Canada. 

These disparities extend into our justice system. Police are less likely to lay or recommend a charge of first-degree murder when the victim is Indigenous (27 per cent) compared to when she is not (54 per cent) according to Statistics Canada. 

“Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people is not just an Indigenous issue — it is a Canadian issue, a global issue and a human issue and it is a crisis,” says Jean Becker, associate vice-president for the Office of Indigenous Relations. 

Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, and Jean Becker, associate vice-president for the Office of Indigenous Relations, offering the traditional smudging ceremony during Red Dress Day in 2024.

In response to this crisis, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was established. The final report was released in 2019, which concluded that the persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations constitute a genocide against Indigenous peoples. The report issued 231 Calls for Justice, urging transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis. 

Despite these calls for justice, the families of femicide victims are often met with indifference. Many cases go unsolved, investigations are delayed or dismissed, and media coverage is minimal — if present at all. The burden of finding answers falls on the grieving families themselves. 

“We cannot leave it up to the government and political leaders to create a lasting and much needed change. As Canadians, we each bear a responsibility to contribute to a safer nation for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people,” Becker says. 

What actions can you take? 

• Learn the names of local missing and murdered Indigenous women in your region 
• Support Indigenous-led organizations fighting for violence prevention and awareness, such as the Native Women’s Association of Canada 
• Speak out against racism and sexism when you see it in your workplace, in the justice system or in your communities 
• Demand that governments uphold the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit 
• Use your platform to share about the importance of this issue  
• Attend an event to raise awareness, honour stolen Indigenous sisters and call for justice  

Attend a Red Dress Day event on campus  

On May 5, the Office of Indigenous Relations, the Faculty of Health and the Sexual Violence Prevention Office will be hosting a sacred fire led by Elder Myeengun Henry. Followed by a short film screening and a talk featuring Ojibway/Mohawk guest speaker, Cher Obediah, to bring awareness to this ongoing crisis and honour the lives lost. Learn more and register for “Red Dress Reflections – Transforming Tomorrow”.