Red Dress Day

Red Dress Day Inspires Healing, Advocacy and Allyship

Red Dress Day was originally inspired by Métis artist and activist Jaime Black-Morsette’s REDress Project. May 5 is now recognized across Canada as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+).

In Whitehorse, Red Dress Day has grown into a multi-day community gathering that creates opportunities to come together in remembrance, reflection, and solidarity.

“This is not a First Nations or women’s issue—it is a community issue, and we really want folks to come out and take part,” says Natalie Taylor, Executive Director of Whitehorse Aboriginal Women’s Circle (WAWC), which coordinates events in Whitehorse in collaboration with community partners. Those unable to attend events are encouraged to hang a red dress in their workplace or home as a symbol of support.

This year’s Awareness Days will take place May 3–5 and will include a Sacred Fire, prayer circles, beading workshops, community dinners, the creation of a collective art installation, and of course, the walk itself on May 5. Awareness Days offers many ways to honour loved ones, show support, and learn about the broader issues.

“It is also a time to spark change and bring the community into conversations about prevention,” says Taylor.

Organizers hope that the presence and allyship of Yukoners, alongside community organizations, will help build and sustain momentum for ongoing action in response to the MMIWG2S+ crisis in the Yukon and across Turtle Island.

May 5 Walks Happening in Many Yukon Communities

Whitehorse

Prior to the walk, individuals are invited to have a red handprint painted or pressed on their faces from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at KDCC. This powerful symbol represents both solidarity with the movement and protest against the violence and silencing of Indigenous women.

Gathering for the Red Dress Day walk will begin at 11:00 a.m. outside the Yukon Education Building. Additional parking is available at Rotary Peace Park or the SS Klondike. Following a brief welcome and sharing of protocol, the walk will begin at 11:15 a.m., pause at the MMIWG2S+ Monument, and conclude at the Sacred Fire at KDCC. Lunch, available to enjoy around the fire or take to go, will be served beginning at noon. A final prayer and community circle will take place at 3:00 p.m., alongside the closing of the Sacred Fire.

Watson Lake

Liard Aboriginal Women’s Circle, in collaboration with Youth for Today Society, will lead a walk and rally beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Sign Post Forest. They will be joined by drummers from Tu Lidlini. The event will be followed by lunch at Watson Lake Secondary School.

Dawson City

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Sacred Fire outside of TH Hall, followed by a Vigil Walk at 11:00 a.m. The walk will travel along Front Street to the Bunkhouse, to Albert Street, and then back to TH Hall for a community lunch.

For Details and Updates in Your Community

  • Whitehorse: Follow @wawcircle on Facebook and Instagram
  • Watson Lake: Follow @LiardAboriginalWomensCircle on Facebook
  • Dawson City: Follow Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government on Facebook

Missing your community from this list? Let us know and we will add you. Contact: coordinator@yukonwomenscoalition.com

Related Resources:

To learn more about this crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people: