Dear Members of CUPE Local 3338,
I hope this finds you well. Content warning: this message discusses gender and race-based violence. Please consider your capacity to engage with this before you continue reading. Support resources are also included at the bottom of this post.
May 5th, known as Red Dress Day, is the National Day of Awareness for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit people (MMIWG2S). We wanted to take a moment to remind you of the significance of this day and extend an invitation to participate in Red Dress Day learning and engagement.
May 5th marks a day of remembrance and an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit Individuals and to show solidarity with Indigenous communities across the country. Approximately 4,000 Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals were reported missing between 1980 and 2021. According to the 2019 Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the alarming rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls are categorized as a form of race-based genocide.
First established in 2010, the REDress Project began as an art installation by Indigenous artist Jamie Black. Today, red dresses serve as a powerful symbol of our commitment to justice, reconciliation, and ending gender-based violence against indigenous women, girls, and 2 Spirit people. By participating in Red Dress Day, we can amplify the voices of those who have been silenced and advocate for meaningful change.
We encourage all members of CUPE Local 3338 to join in respectful acknowledgement of Red Dress Day on May 5th. There are many events and activities happening in our community to mark Red Dress Day. We encourage you to seek out opportunities to engage with Indigenous-led initiatives and to learn more about how we can all contribute to ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals.
How to Support MMIWG2S
- Wear Red on May 5th to show your support and raise awareness;
- Attend a MMIWG2S awareness event to learn more;
- Hang a red dress in your window to support women who are on the frontlines fighting for all of us everyday
- Read the final report from the National Inquiry on MMIWG2S;
- Donate to initiatives that support Indigenous women in our community:
- Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
- Aboriginal Mother Centre Society
Some of the Local Red Dress Day Events in Metro Vancouver
- Online 1:00-2:30pm
- The Vancouver Public Library is hosting an online opportunity to learn about the history of Red Dress Day and the on-going human rights crisis of gendered and race-based violence in Canada from Dionne McGrath. This program is delivered in partnership with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
- New Westminster
- Hyack Square, New Westminster: Presented in partnership with Spirit of the Children Society, and sponsored by Downtown New Westminster BIA, the community is invited to honour the memory and lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people at this free event. There will be a red dress display, a ceremony at 4:00 pm, and family-friendly activities. Free red dress pins and refreshments will be available while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to wear red to show their support. Learn more about Red Dress Day and find community displays and learning opportunities in New Westminster: newwestcity.ca/reddress
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Abbotsford
- Abbotsford City Hall, 10:00-3:30pm: The Fraser Valley Métis Association in collaboration with the City Of Abbotsford wants to bring awareness to the over-representation of Indigenous Women and Girls within our justice system.
- SFU Indigenous Student Centre
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women by Cheryl Bagnall and Tamara Bernard, Ontario Native Women’s Association
In this webinar, presenters speak to the issue of MMIW from an Indigenous Woman’s perspective as both family and community members. They also discuss how ONWA does this work to support the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women with a focus on the importance of ceremony and how it is a vital component of healing for families who have lost someone. - Vicarious Trauma – An Indigenous Perspective: Cultural Strengths as the Roots of Resilience for Healing Trauma and Building Worker Wellness by Deanna Jones-Keeshig, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
This webinar explores trauma, collective historical and intergenerational trauma, and provides information about vicarious trauma from an Indigenous specific context. The webinar presents Culturally Trauma Informed Approaches as a strategy to support wholistic strength-based approaches for promoting the wellness of Indigenous helpers. - The Hidden Narrative – Consent in a Colonial System by Brianna Olson, Ryerson University
This interactive presentation first explores the powerful roles held by Indigenous women prior to European contact and then explains how colonization deliberately set out to destroy, not just the roles, but the bodies of these women. It then takes up how and why sexual violence towards Indigenous women and girls continues at astounding rates, but that Canadians can choose to end this by actively participating in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
The following list has been compiled by the Pacific Association of First Nations Women.
- Free, Online 1-1 Counselling with Char Leon – for Indigenous peoples who have missing or murdered family members (Sign-up)
- Reclaiming Power and Space: The Final Report
- Reclaiming Power and Space: Calls for Justice
- MMIWG and Violence Prevention
- Sister Watch: Protecting Women in the Downtown Eastside
- Coalition MMIWG Inquiry
- MMIWG-related articles on UBCIC website
- Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre Report
Support by phone
- For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
- Health Support Services Directory Per Region (phone numbers)
- BC Bereavement Line – 1-877-779-2223
- Kuu-us Crisis Line Society – 1-800-588-8717
- Hope for Wellness Help Line – 1-855-242-3310 – Immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada
We encourage you to take some time on May 5th to honor the lives lost, support survivors, and work towards a future where everyone can live free from violence and discrimination.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Trish Everett, Vice President 2-Equity & Inclusion
On behalf of The Executive Board of CUPE Local 3338