Red Dress Day is a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). This is an important day of acknowledgement to honour the lives lost and affected by the disproportionate rate of violence that Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people face every day.
This movement began by a Metis artist Jaime Black-Moresette who hung empty red dresses in public spaces as part of their REDress Project in 2010, which aimed to honour the lives of Indigenous women and bring attention to the ongoing crisis. While initially started in Manitoba, this day has now grown into a national day of remembrance and advocacy across Canada, which is observed on May 5.
This day serves as a reminder of the need to address the issues that Indigenous women and two-spirit people face, that we demand justice, accountability and support for the families that have been affected.
This day is not about a dress. This day is about those that have been affected by loss, the need for justice and the push for reconciliation.
Show your solidarity by supporting causes in your local community through reconciliation efforts and being an ally to Indigenous groups.
Ways to get involved:
Alberta
Edmonton:
Edmonton Public Library Picks: Red Dress Day
Lethbridge
Red Dress Community Gathering & Walk
Date and time
Monday, May 5 · 7 – 9pm MDT
Location
Southern Alberta Ethnic Association
421 6 Avenue South Lethbridge, AB T1J 0Y7 Canada
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
Join us in Solidarity as we Honour MMIW (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women) on Red Dress Day,
Monday May 5 from 7-9pm
The Lethbridge & Area Metis Association would like to welcome our community to gather at the Southern Alberta Ethnic Assocation from 7-8pm for a Tea & Talk on the history and importance of the Canadian Initiative of Red Dress Day.
Complimentary Tea & Coffee and Cultural Snacks provided.
We will end the evening with a Community Walk through the river valley (meeting at the Fort) at Sunset.
Red & Black Attire are recommended for the event.
Please wear comfortable footwear for a gentle walk around the Fort.
Everyone is Welcome.
For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/red-dress-community-gathering-walk-tickets-1329010759959?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1
Calgary
5th Annual Mohkinstis MMEIP Red Ribbon/Dress/Shirt Day will be held from 4 to 8 pm at 200 Memorial Dr. NW.
5th Annual Gathering to honor the families/survivors of MMEIP – Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples on the National Day of Awareness known as Red Dress Day.
All families and survivors are welcome at the location recognized as the “Field of Red Ribbons”. This specific location was chosen to reclaim power and place for all families/survivors of MMEIP across Turtle Island.
Event will include remarks from Mayor Jyoti Gondek, singing and drumming groups, elders, jingle dancers, and the voices of the families.
This event is focused on #FamiliesFirst to honor all families impacted by the targeting and genocide of Indigenous women, girls, men, boys and two-Spirit people, ensuring their voices are first and foremost and considering protection of trauma and healing. We all catch the tears of all families no matter where we lost our loved ones.
This 5th year acknowledges awareness of this annual gathering and all families are invited. We encourage all to bring signs, wear t-shirts, and what you need to do to honor your loved ones. There will be time on the event schedule for families to share as well.
Note: There will be no uniformed officers present, and we ask that all that will come will do so respectfully.
Red Dress Day: A Conversation with Indigenous Matriarchs about MMIWG2S+
Wednesday, May 7 · 5 – 7:30pm MDT. Doors at 4:45pm
Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall – Central Library
800 3rd Street Southeast Calgary, AB T2G 0E7
Join Elder Ruth Scalp Lock, Rachel Snow and Michelle Robinson as they discuss their experiences as Indigenous women, and their unique perspectives on the ongoing issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit.
Elder Scalp Lock is a community builder and healer who is currently involved in MMIWG2S+ advocacy who founded the domestic violence shelter the Awo Taan Native Healing lodge.
Rachel Snow is an Iyârhé Nakoda First Nations Legal Consultant and Indigenous Law Practitioner, who specializes in assisting those First Nations who want to build capacity by utilizing their own original laws.
Michelle Robinson, the host of the podcast Native Calgarian, is a political organizer and community advocate. Through the Native Calgarian podcast, Michelle also hosts a book club to learn the truth in Truth and Reconciliation.
These three women are daughters, wives, aunties, mothers or grandmothers who are matriarchs in their communities.
There will be paper red dresses for attendees to write their reflections on MMIWG2S+ throughout the program and to pin on the display. The event will open with a smudge and a Jingle Dress Dancer to start off the conversation with a healing dance to honour MMIWG2S+, and there will be space available with counseling resources so audience members can receive the support they need.
Drumheller
Big Country Anti Violence Association’s Red Dress Day event will be held at 6 PM at Angels Corner
Fort McMurray
Red Dress Solidarity Walk & Memorial Round Dance – 10AM – 5PM
Hinton
Red Dress Awareness Walk will be held at 12 PM Hinton Friendship Centre
Starting at HFC – walking to The Guild and back
BBQ to follow
Let’s walk together in solidarity, remembrance, and awareness. Wear red if you can, and help us bring visibility to the ongoing crisis affecting Indigenous communities across the country.
Everyone is welcome. Every step matters.
Stony Plain
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon:
Wanuskewin Visitor Centre
RR #4 Penner Road
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J7
MORE INFORMATION
Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, 2025
- 9:30 a.m. – Site open
- Red Dress information and displays up; Gallery Show with MMIWG2S+ focus; scavenger hunts; drop-in activities; and Self Guided options
- 11:00 a.m. – Dance Presentation and talk
- 1:00 p.m. – Red Dress Dance Feature
- 2:00 p.m. – Beaded felt Red Dress Pin drop-in tables with Kandis Capulet for afternoon (2-4)
- 3:00 p.m. – Guide’s Choice interpretive programming & guided walk
- 5:00 p.m. – full site (including trails and playground) CLOSED
- *Saturday, May 3rd – Maamawi Gallery opening 6-8 p.m. (pre-register)
Monday, May 5, 2025 – Red Dress Day
- Full site open 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for self-guided exploration of the MMIWG focused Gallery Show and displays
- 1:00 p.m. – ᒪᐦᐃᐦᑲᐣ mahihkanak Dance Troupe – Red Dress special
- 2:00 p.m. – Beaded felt Red Dress Pin drop-in tables with Kandis Capulet for afternoon (2-4)
Screening of the film The Red Dress at Remai Modern onSunday, playing on loop from May 4, 2025 – 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
SaskTel Theatre
Film: The Red Dress
Director: Michael Scott
Writer: Maria Campbell Year: 1978 Runtime: 27 minutes Country: Canada
Renowned Métis author and screenwriter Maria Campbell explores themes of cultural identity, sexual assault and the familial impact of colonialism in The Red Dress, echoing the themes of her seminal memoir, Halfbreed.
All community members are invited to recognize Red Dress Day on May 5 and honour
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit across the country.
Information, speakers, art activities:
Knowledge Sharing
10am – 3pm
Cosmo Civic Centre
Information, speakers & art activities
Training Active Bystanders
12:30pm – 2:30pm
Red Dress Day Walk
4pm Saskatoon Police
Service HQ, 76 25th St E
Swift Current
Red Dress Day Event
Join us in creating commemorative Métis Dot paintings in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S)
2pm – Blessing and Welcome
2pm-4pm – Collaborative Painting (Come and Go) For more information, visit our webpage HERE
Prince Albert – Stay tuned for possible event details.
Manitoba
An Event in Honour of Red Dress Day
Event Date: May 05, 2025
Event Location: Centre Space, Russell Building, 84 Curry Place at the University of Manitoba.
Event Time: 1:30 pm
Indigenous Engagement and Communications, the Centre for Human Rights Research, and the Margaret Laurence Endowment Fund (Women’s & Gender Studies) at the University of Manitoba invite you to join.
The event will begin with a traditional Pipe Ceremony and Water Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., creating a space for reflection and connection. For the ceremony, ribbon skirts are encouraged but not necessary.
- You may also bring tobacco, but some will be available.
- Following the ceremony, Cambria Harris, whose work is driven by her family’s loss and the crisis affecting the Indigenous community, will share her advocacy work, raise awareness about MMIWG2S+ crisis, and share ways to get involved in the community.
- At 3:30 p.m., all are invited to participate in an informal beading circle. Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette will be working on a community art piece, incorporating beadwork created on October 4, 2024 during the Provincial Day of Awareness and the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S+.
- Resource Guide.
- Register now
- Light snacks will be served. For information on getting to the University of Manitoba, see: https://umanitoba.ca/about-um/our-campuses/getting-here
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs First Nations Family Advocate Office
1:00 PM at Memorial Park and walk to Oodena Circle at the Forks.
The event will include a ceremony, guest speakers, and a healing jingle dress dance.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs First Nations Family Advocate Office
1:00 PM at Memorial Park and walk to Oodena Circle at the Forks.
The event will include a ceremony, guest speakers, and a healing jingle dress dance.
Online
Grandmother’s Voice (Ontario)
Save the Date: May 5, 2025 — National MMIWG2S+ Awareness Day
10:00 a.m. | Live Online | Grandmothers Voice Platforms
She left for school and didn’t come home.
She was last seen near the highway.
She asked for help — and was ignored.
Her name was forgotten by the system, but not by us.
Red Dress Day is a reminder of all the stories we should never have had to tell.
Thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are missing or have been murdered in this country. Families are still searching. The calls for justice have not been answered.
On May 5, we gather to honour those taken, to hold space for the families, and to demand more from a system that has failed them.
Join Grandmothers Voice for a powerful virtual event featuring Jody Harbour, the Grandmothers, and special guests. Together, we will share stories, ceremony, and truth.
This is not a day of silence.
This is a day to rise.
📅 May 5, 2025
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 Streaming live on Grandmothers Voice platforms
🔗 www.grandmothersvoice.com
#MMIWG2S #RedDressDay #SaveTheDate #VoicesWeCannotLose #GrandmothersVoice #WeRemember #WeRiseTogether
