On May 5, Niagara College will honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) people by participating in Red Dress Day.

Organized by Indigenous Education, Niagara College will recognize this national day of awareness by lowering campus flags to half-mast, lighting the NC button red and hanging red dresses at both the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“By hanging red dresses across our campuses, we continue to draw attention to the disproportionally high levels of violence faced by Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people, and the systemic injustices which contribute to this crisis,” said Leah Hogan, Associate Director of Indigenous Education. “The red dresses offer a striking reminder of this national human rights issue, and we honour and remember the lives of our stolen sisters on this important day.”

Niagara College has been raising awareness of the violence and injustices suffered by MMIWG and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people for several years and most recently participated in the REDress project last February by featuring displays of red dresses at both campuses.

In addition to hanging red dresses on May 5, Niagara College is encouraging members of the community to wear red or display red clothing as a sign of respect and recognition for the lives that have been lost as a result of this ongoing crisis in Canada.

Red Dress Day Walk

The NC community is also encouraged to join the City of St. Catharines Red Dress Day walk on May 5.

The walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. from St. Catharines City Hall and will end at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts Lobby at 7 p.m.

An Indigenous Artisan market will also take place in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts Lobby from 6 to 8 p.m.

Want to learn more?

The National Inquiry and calls to justice for MMIWG2S: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

Support for Indigenous students

If you ever need to talk to someone, Niagara College has a team of counsellors – including an Indigenous Counsellor – available to support you.

To meet with a counsellor, please book an appointment by contacting Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services: www.niagaracollege.ca/hwas/appointment/

Talk4Healing
Phone/Text: 1-855-544-HEAL (4325)
Chat: talk4healing.com

24/7 MMIWG crisis line
1-844-413-6649