National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people (MMIWG2S)
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Our hearts are with all the families who have not yet seen justice for their lost loved ones.
Also known as Red Dress Day, this day honours the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit and gender diverse people. As Indigenous women disproportionately experience violence, this day is a reminder to pay respect, bring awareness and call on all levels of government to take action to end this racialized and gendered violence.
Justice for MMIWG2S and environmental justice are inextricably connected as neither can happen without confronting and working to dismantle colonialism. Violence against Indigenous women and two spirit people is violence against the land — male-dominated work camps associated with resource extraction projects are directly correlated with an increase in sexualized and gender-based violence against Indigenous peoples.
As neighbours working to shine a light on anti-racism for all those experiencing violence, we need to educate ourselves so awareness is raised and help build a safe and secure world for all. We invite you to explore these resources:
- National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S – Red Dress Gathering at Vancouver City Hall, happening May 5 at noon.
- Have you seen red dresses hanging in your community? Learn more about the REDress project here.
- Video: “Peace River Rising: The link between violence against Indigenous women and violence against the land”
- Lecture by Lee Maracle: “There is a direct connection between violence against the earth and violence against women. Looking to the past to restore our future.”
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Centre: MMIW Toolkit for Families and Communities
- Read “Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls”
Troy Moth