Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge and Community at AU and Beyond - a 4 part event series!

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Student Alliance (WISA) is excited to announe a collaboration with AUGSA, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Nukskahtowin, and other AU partners celebrating National Indigenous History Month!

Students are welcome to join the opening virtual circle on June 1st, with a few spots reserved for in-person attendance. Event details here:

The Opening Circle

June 1, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Virtual Event

Register Now

Then over the month of June, a series of online events to support conversations on Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous research in online spaces, student and alumni research as well as a closing ceremony will be held.

Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge and Community at AU and Beyond 4-part event

June 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.–June 22, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.Virtual Events

Register Now

Red Dress Day | Honouring MMIWG2S+

Photo Credit: https://www.jaimeblackartist.com/exhibitions/

May 5 is Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. Many communities also use MMIWG2S+ or MMEIP to include Two-Spirit, trans, gender-diverse, men, boys, and other Indigenous relatives impacted by this ongoing crisis. Red Dress Day began with the REDress Project, created by Métis artist Jaime Black in 2010. The project uses empty red dresses displayed in public spaces to represent Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who are missing or have been murdered. The empty dresses remind us that as we go about our daily lives, many lives have been stolen, and that we must continue to advocate for meaningful change to end the MMIWG2S+ crisis. The red dresses carry the presence of those we have lost, the memory, grief, love, resistance, and the ongoing call for justice.

Red Dress Day is a day to honour those who have gone missing and loved ones, to support families and survivors, to listen to Indigenous-led advocacy, and to take meaningful action against the colonial violence that continues to impact Indigenous communities. While Red Dress Day is marked on May 5, the work of honouring MMIWG2S+ and supporting families and survivors must continue year-round. Below are some ways to meaningfully participate today, and show your support for MMIWG2S+.

Ways to Show Your Support:

•  Wear red in remembrance.

•  Attend a local walk, vigil, ceremony, or community gathering.

•  Listen to families, survivors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous

Organizers.

• Share Indigenous-led resources and avoid treating the day as symbolic only.

• Donate to Indigenous women’s, Two-Spirit, family, survivor, and community-led

organizations if you are able.

• Read the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG.

• Check online for Red Dress Day events happening in your own community.

Events in Edmonton and Calgary:

Edmonton

Red Dress Day Vigil Walk

May 5 at 3:00 PM

The walk starts at Alberta Avenue Community Hall (9210 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 0N4) and ends at Eastwood Community League (11803 86 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 3J9), where we will share stories, listen to Elders and Drummers, and enjoy refreshments.

Calgary

Red Dress Day 2026

May 5, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Field of Red Ribbons (also known as the Veterans Field of Crosses Memorial Site) at 200 Memorial Drive NW (north side of Memorial Dr. NW, west of Centre St).

The evening will include speakers, Elders, dancers, and singing as we gather in honour of Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous PEOPLES (MMEIP) and in support of families, survivors, and community.

Red Dress Powwow

May 8, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Big Four Roadhouse, Calgary

Event info: https://www.afccalgary.org/2026/03/31/red-dress-powwow-calgary-2026/

Media to Watch or Read:

Finding Dawn: A documentary by Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh that puts a human face to the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Where to watch: https://www.nfb.ca/film/finding_dawn/

Taken: An APTN documentary series that investigates cases of missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples across Canada to honour victims and amplify calls for justice.

Where to watch: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.6218490

Highway of Tears: A documentary directed by Matt Smiley and produced with Mary Teegee that focuses on the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzGSWMi1dQ0&themeRefresh=1

You can also explore Red Dress Day reading lists through local libraries, including the Peace Library System’s Red Dress Day collection: https://www.peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca/Book-Lists/red-dress-day

If you or someone you know is impacted, you are not alone. Support is available, and your voice matters:

🆘 24/7 Crisis & Immediate Support

📞 National MMIWG2S+ Crisis Line

1-844-413-6649 (24/7, toll-free)

Emotional support for anyone impacted by Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & 2SLGBTQ+ people

📞 MMIWG Intake & Family Support

1-800-750-7566

Helps families navigate supports and services

🟤 Indigenous-Specific Support Lines (Canada-Wide)

📞 Hope for Wellness Help Line

1-855-242-3310 (24/7)

Mental health, emotional support, and crisis intervention for First Nations & Inuit

📞 NWAC Elder Support Line: 1-888-664-7808

Support from Elders & Knowledge Keepers for those affected

📞 Family Information Liaison Units (FILU)

Supports families of missing/murdered loved ones

Helps navigate police, legal, and government systems

🌐 Native Women’s Association of Canada: https://nwac.ca

🌐 Safe Passage: https://safe-passage.ca

🌐 MMIWG Wellness Tools: https://mmiwgwellnesstools.ca

🌐 Unearthing Justices: https://unearthingjustices.ca

🌐 Métis National Council: https://www.metisnation.ca

🟤 Support for Indigenous Men & Boys (MMEIMB)

MMEIP: https://www.mmeip.ca/support

Resources specifically inclusive of men, boys,

MMIWG2S+ Crisis Line: 1-844-413-6649

Inclusive of all impacted individuals

Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310

Supports men and boys and families

Recognizing the the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21^st marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Student Alliance recognizes the importance of unity amongst Nations and all of the diverse people who share the spaces of life, work and community. We stand in solidarity with marginalized populations and pause to reflect, listen, and take action. As an advocacy group, we challenge injustices.

In many Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island, the medicine wheel represents all races living equally, caring for one another and learning from our differences. We are stronger together.

The Medicine Wheel's Teachings from Grandmother's Voice

Let us not turn a blind eye to the hardships faced around the world, or closer to home, based on racial discrimination. In order to create change, we must first create awareness.

Racial discrimination—whether visible or subtle—continues to impact individuals and communities around the world, including here in Canada/ Turtle Island. It shows up in unequal opportunities, harmful stereotypes, and systemic barriers that prevent people from being seen, heard, and valued equally.

But days like this are also about hope and responsibility. It’s a reminder that each of us has a role to play in creating a more just and inclusive world. That can mean speaking up when we witness injustice, educating ourselves and others, amplifying diverse voices, and challenging biases—both around us and within ourselves.

Change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens through everyday actions, conversations, and commitments. We all have a responsibility to:

• Listen to and learn from lived experiences

• Speak out against racism in all its forms

• Support policies and initiatives that advance equity

• Commit to ongoing, everyday action which includes how we treat others in our daily life

  
  

Let’s stand together—not just on the day calling for awareness and action, but every day—to build a future rooted in respect, equity, and dignity for all.

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Student Alliance remains’ dedicated to building a more just and inclusive future for all.