05/05/2026
Today we wear red to honour the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people whose lives were stolen and whose stories deserve to be remembered. May we move beyond awareness to action, justice, and meaningful change. 🌹
From our friend, — Today, on Red Dress Day, I am thinking of the women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who are not here. And I think of the families and communities who carry that loss every day, including my own.
The red dresses we see online and in public spaces today represent the lives that should still be here.
Today is about remembrance and grieving our losses, standing with each other, and creating awareness about this ongoing reality.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called this crisis what it is. And with its MMIWG 231 Calls for Justice released nearly seven years ago, it was made clear that responsibility sits with all of us, including our organizations.
Today, I’m thinking about what it means to move beyond awareness and what we can each do to participate. We need to:
- Create spaces where Indigenous women feel safe, respected, and heard
- Challenge racism and sexism, especially when it is subtle
- Build relationships grounded in respect and accountability
Because behind every red dress is a name, a family, and a future that was taken. Today, I remember them and recommit, in my work and in my life, to a future where Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are safe, valued, and heard.
If you have not done so yet, I encourage you to read the 231 Calls for Justice and pick one or two that you, your families, and the organizations you belong to can work on, as a start.
This isn’t just about “the government” doing something, although there are certainly many responsibilities there. It’s really about ALL of us pulling together—as good, decent human beings, and proud citizens of this country—and doing what’s right.
kinanāskomitināwāw / Deepest thanks to you all.
