Resources: Red Dress Day (May 5): General

Introduction

This website deals with topics which may negatively impact the reader due to its subject matter. If you are affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. You can also access long-term health support services such as mental health counselling, community-based emotional support and cultural services. Family members seeking information about their missing or murdered loved one can access Family Information Liaison Units.

Reclaiming Power & Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
This two volume report from 2019 is the result of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It identifies the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people
Their Voices Will Guide Us
This teaching resource shares many ideas for engaging students in discussions about violence against Indigenous women. There are lists of recommended resources to use with classes.

General Resources

Canadian Encyclopedia: Red Dress Day
An encyclopedia article that explains the origin of Red Dress Day and references the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
CBC: Message behind ‘Honour and Remembrance’ of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women at AWG 2023
International grassroots advocate Stephanie Harpe discusses calls to action for Canadians, and the message behind the 'Honour and Remembrance' exhibit at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games.
CBC Kids: Red Dress Day: What It Is and How It Began
Learn about why Red Dress Day started in 2010 and why it is important to Canadians.
CBC News: Four Years after MMIWG Final Report, What Progress Has Been Made?
A 2023 news report that examines Canada's progress since the final report of the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Peace River Rising: The Link between Violence against Indigenous Women and Violence against the Land
Helen Knott, a Dane-Zaa/Nehiyaw social worker, poet and activist, explores the connection between violence against Indigenous women and violence against the land.
Red Dress Project
Jaime Black is the artist behind the Red Dress project that inspired Red Dress Day. Learn about her project here on her website.
Safe Passage
Safe Passage is a community-driven initiative by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) that tracks cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, transgender, gender-diverse, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+)
TEDTalk: We Are More than Murdered and Missing
With a talk that encourages hope, love, empowerment and igniting a new way of learning together as a nation, Tamara lays bare the world of violence impacting indigenous women.
These Haunting Red Dresses Memorialize Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
This article from Smithsonian magazine explore the Red Dress project and shares the impact it is having in the United States.