Red Dress Day is Tuesday May 5th honouring missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2s+ people
By Jonathon Kouri
On Tuesday May 5, members of Mississippi Mills All My Relations (MMAMR), Ginawaydaganuc Village, Lanark County Interval House, Indigenous elders and community members, and Almonte community members gathered at the Mississippi Mills Public Library to remember and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+). The day has been previously designated by the federal government as a national day of awareness for this important issue.
The statistics surrounding violence against Indigenous peoples (and especially Indigenous females) in Canada are staggering. Indigenous women and girls represent 16% to 24% of female homicide victims, despite only representing approximately 5% of the general population. They are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing, compared to non-Indigenous women and girls in Canada. They represent over 50% of all human trafficking victims, with the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking being just 13 years old. Over 60% of Indigenous women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetimes, with 56% experiencing intimate partner violence. The true numbers may be much higher than this, with many cases going unreported or not being properly investigated by authorities.
This year’s event included a talking and healing circle lead by Elder Barbara Brandt of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, information and crafts by Lanark County Interval House, a sacred fire, single, jingle dancing, smudging, a special evening ceremony remembering and honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people, and a shared dinner. I was extremely honoured to be asked to sit with the other Indigenous elders throughout the afternoon and evening, which they acknowledged as a sign of our relationship of mutual respect and trust which has developed over the years, and the special place that Almonte has come to mean for them.
Two years ago, MMAMR took part in the Canadian Library Project, during which we covered books to raise awareness of these issues. This was done in communities across Canada, with MMAMR hosting the Almonte book covering events. Each covered book represents one missing or murdered Indigenous woman, girl, or two-spirit person. I recall very clearly going around our circle and reading the stories behind these people who our books represent.
The books were placed on a bookshelf and have been displayed at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum until a more permanent national home is located. This year the bookcase was moved to the library for Red Dress Day. As part of the traditional Indigenous ceremony, we remembered and honoured these “ancestors” – deceased individuals now living in the spiritual world. According to many Indigenous teachings, the ancestors are active and guiding sprits, not just deceased relatives.
Led by Elder Barb, we placed tealights on the bookshelf as an act of remembrance, and also as a sign of our commitment to work towards change.
