On May 5, 2025, the community of NCN came together in solidarity to honor and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S). This day, known as Red Dress Day, is a nationwide event that draws attention to the ongoing crisis facing Indigenous communities. The walk, organized by Melfina Primrose, began and ended at the Family and Community Wellness Centre (FCWC), where participants walked to raise awareness and show their support for those impacted by this tragedy.
Métis artist Jaime Black coined the term Red Dress Day as a visual and cultural response to this critical national issue. The red dresses, displayed in various public spaces across Canada, serve as a powerful symbol of the lives lost and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
The devastating rates of violence against Indigenous people are a direct result of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization. In Canada, our women are overrepresented in the statistic of experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This staggering statistic continues to affect health, wellness, and opportunities in all aspects of life. The high rates of violence are reflected in the lack of access to healthcare and the underrepresentation of our people in research and policy.
This walk was a reminder to our NCN community that we must continue to raise our voices in support of the MMIWG2S cause, advocate for change, and work towards creating a future where Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people can live free from violence and fear.
Thank you to all who participated, and to Melfina Primrose for organizing this important event.
If you need someone to talk to please contact these numbers:
Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous centered): 1-855-242-3310
Crisis Services Canada: 9-8-8
National Family and Survivors Circle: 1-844-413-6649
The Family and Community Wellness Centre: 204-484-2341
