Red Dress Exhibit | Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin

May 5 is Red Dress Day | Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). 

The day is designated to honour the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people across Canada. Visible reminders of this day are symbolized by hanging red dresses in windows, on fences, on balconies or in trees in connection to Mother Earth. The dresses represent the pain and loss that is felt by loved ones and survivors and the impact on Indigenous families, communities and nations across Turtle Island. 

This year at TMU, we are commemorating this day by having our first outdoor Red Dress Exhibit | Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin. The exhibit will be a visible reminder, bringing forth awareness of the targeted gendered and racialized crimes against the Indigenous Peoples. 

All community members are invited to visit and observe the Red Dress Exhibit | Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin.

What to expect

The exhibit will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 5 with a smudge of the dresses and hanging them in the trees along Gould St. (across Lake Devo). The exhibit will remain until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 6. The exhibit will conclude with a berry offering for the spirits.

Have a red dress to donate to the exhibit?

Community members are invited to donate red dresses for the Red Dress Exhibit. 

• Date: Thursday, April 25
  Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Location: KHW-366
  
• Date: Thursday, April 25
  Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  Location: KHW-366-A
  
• Date: Thursday, May 2
  Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Location: KHW-366
  
• Date: Thursday, May 2
  Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  Location: KHW-366-A

If you wish to loan a dress and have it returned to you, please include a note and it can be picked up at KHW 366A on Tuesday, May 7 onwards.

Questions?

For more information about the exhibit or would like to help volunteer with hanging the dresses, please contact Crystal Osawamick, Manager, Indigenous Events and Special Projects, at crystal.osawamick@torontomu.ca.