Photos: TMU's Red Dress Day exhibits shine light on national issue
Strolling down Gould street on May 5 and 6, you couldn't miss the striking sight of red dresses swaying in the breeze among the branches. But do you know the powerful message they carried?
May 5 marks Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). On this day, we honour the memory of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit individuals who have gone missing or have been found murdered in communities across Canada and Turtle Island. Many cases remain unresolved.
The historic and current rate of violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people is a national tragedy that cannot be ignored. Urgent action is required to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous Peoples. All people deserve to live in safety, free of violence and abuse.
In 2019, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (external link) was published, including 231 individual calls for justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.
At TMU, we are raising awareness about Red Dress Day and MMIWG2S while responding to the calls for justice directed at educators (calls for justice 11.1 and 11.2).
This year, TMU honoured Red Dress Day | Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad with an e-campaign that invited community members to learn more and get involved, a micro gallery in the TMU Libraries and an outdoor exhibit on Gould street. See photos from the events below.
Further educate yourself about MMIWG2S
MMIWG2S should not only be remembered and honoured on May 5. The TMU community is encouraged to educate yourself by delving into accurate sources about MMWIG2S. Suggested resources to explore:
- AJ+ | Canada's missing and murdered Indigenous women (external link)
- Assembly of First Nations | Explore MMIWG (external link)
- Brianna Olson-Pitawanakwat and Cyndy Baskin | In Between the Missing and Murdered: The Need for Indigenous-Led Responses to Trafficking (external link)
- CBC Kids | Red Dress Day: What it is and how it began (external link)
- Courtney Skye | Yellowhead Institute: Can the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girl’s Inquiry be Reclaimed? (external link)
- Pamela Palmater | Series of 13 educational videos to help you understand the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry (external link)
- KAIROS Canada | Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Advocacy and Action (external link)
- Jamie Black | The REDress Project (external link)
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls | Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (external link)
- National Museum of the American Indian | The REDress Project (external link)
- Native Women's Association of Canada | MMIWG2S+ and Violence Prevention (external link)
- Native Women's Association of Canada | (PDF file) Building on the legacy of the NWAC Faceless Doll Project - Create your own Faceless Dolls (external link)
- Nickita Longman | Yellowhead Institute: MMIWG2S+ and the Failure of Policing (external link)
- Shades of Our Sisters | Online exhibit (external link)
The resources above were compiled as part of the Red Dress Day e-campaign developed by members of the Rebirthed Teachings Community Learning Circles, in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Indigenous Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, TMU Libraries and the President’s Office.
Donate a red dress
We are accepting donations of red dresses for next year’s red dress exhibit on Monday, May 5, 2025. Please email Crystal Osawamick, manager, Indigenous events and special projects at crystal.osawamick@torontomu.ca.