It is a day of reflection and awareness in Chatham-Kent and across the country.
May 5 is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People.
Also called Red Dress Day, the day honours and brings awareness to the disproportionate violence that Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people face in Canada. Originating in 2010 and symbolized by red dresses, this day is a powerful reminder of the individuals no longer with us and the urgent need for truth, reconciliation, and justice.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people found that, in Canada:
- Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people are 12x more likely to go missing or be murdered than all other women, and 16x more likely than Caucasian women.
- In the last 30 years, more than 4000 Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people have gone missing or been murdered. That’s about 133 a year or 3 a week.
- Because of persistent forms of oppression (racism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism), complaints about missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Women, are less likely to be taken seriously or followed up.
Local students will be learning more about the crisis facing Indigenous and two-spirit women and girls this week.
Officials with the Lambton Kent District School Board say recognizing and discussing the issue is a vital part of truth and reconciliation, and encourages students to critically examine systemic injustices, understand the ongoing impacts of colonialism, and foster empathy, respect, and allyship.
At the St Clair Catholic District School Board, officials say all flags will be lowered in observance of Red Dress Day, and everyone is encouraged to wear red as a way to stand in solidarity with this reminder of the ongoing crisis and help raise awareness in the calls for justice.
