Red dresses hang at the First Nations Longhouse in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Image taken at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: An Epidemic Crossing the Medicine Line Conference, in 2019.
Credit: Marique Moss
Today, on National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day, the First Nations House of Learning stands in solidarity with the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and relatives.
As we honour their lives, and acknowledge the pain and sorrow felt by their loved ones, we call on Canadian society to recognize the systemic disregard for their human rights and to stop colonialism’s violence, injustice, and atrocities.
Their loss through violence is a national tragedy, a genocide that affects Indigenous life-givers, girls, daughters, mothers, cousins, aunties, grandmothers, and two-spirits.
We ask Canadians to get involved, raise awareness, and take action to build a just and more peaceful future, particularly for those families whose lives have been altered forever.
We honour the strength and resilience of all Indigenous people and join them in the journey of transformation, healing, change, and advocacy for justice, respect, and a secure future.