Red Dress Day | Honouring MMIWG2S+
- auindigenousstuden
- May 5
- 3 min read
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
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
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