Tuesday marked Red Dress Day, a national day of awareness and remembrance for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit peoples (MMIWG2S+). In Calgary, families of victims, survivors and allies gathered for an evening of remembrance, healing and awareness. The sixth annual event turned the Field of Crosses, along Memorial Drive, into the ‘Field of Red Ribbons’ from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Powwow dancer Vanessa Badger turned out to the event Tuesday to honour her daughter who went missing in January 2021. She was found dead in May of that year. “As I dance and my jingles are going, it’s like we’re sending a message back up to them that we’re still here.” Said Badger-Hunter. “We’re still saying your name. We’re not letting you be forgotten.” Red dresses, shirts and ribbons serve as a visual reminder of the lives that have been lost, and the ongoing calls for justice, safety and accountability. According to the Assembly of First Nations, despite only making up 4.3 per cent of the population in Canada, Indigenous women make up 16 per cent of female homicide victims and 11 per cent of missing persons cases involving women. Tuesday’s gathering aims to uplift the stories and voices of victims and families and honour loved ones. It will include smudging, drumming and dancing, as well as a reading of names, a moment of silence, and speakers. Groups like the Women’s Centre of Calgary are seeking to help Indigenous women and change that narrative. “On a person-to-person level, there’s so much that we can do,” said executive director Lana Bentley. “There’s so much we can do around housing, food security, and domestic violence. We all have a role to play in knowing our neighbors, helping our neighbors.” The Women’s Centre of Calgary is also hosting a sharing circle from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On Friday, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary will host a Red Dress Powwow at The Big Four Roadhouse, starting at 5 p.m. Calgarians are encouraged to wear red to show support and raise awareness.
