Powerful red dress displays are once again hanging at Niagara College campuses this February to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls (MMIWG) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) people.
The displays aim to raise awareness for the REDress Project and serve as visual reminders of the violence and injustices suffered by MMIWG and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people. The initiative began in 2011 as an art installation at the University of Winnipeg by Métis artist Jaime Black and has since evolved into a national movement. The College has participated in the REDress Project since 2019.
The empty dresses will hang at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake and at the Welland Campus until Feb. 16. The displays include QR codes that people can scan to learn more about the significance of the REDress Project.
In collaboration with the College, Brock University will also be hanging dresses from Feb. 12 to 16 and is hosting an event at its main campus on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both the visual displays and the REDress Project event are an opportunity for everyone to support the Indigenous community and to encourage continued learning and discussion around MMIWG.
“Our partnership with Brock University highlights our commitment to raising awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+,” said Leah Hogan, NC’s Associate Director, Indigenous Education.
“Together, we will actively participate in the REDress project, using our collective efforts to amplify the voices of our community members affected and contribute to the dialogue surrounding this ongoing issue. By joining forces with Brock University, our intention is to create a community of support, education, and advocacy to address the MMIW crisis.”
The day of learning on Feb. 14, organized by NC’s Indigenous Education department and Brock’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement and its Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre, will include songs, a morning panel discussion, a traditional Indigenous catered lunch, a jingle dress dance and interactive workshops in the afternoon.
The panel discussion is being moderated by NC’s Indigenous Culture & Events Coordinator Aria D’alimonte.
“This day is about carving space for the Indigenous community. It’s a day to be together to grieve and to raise awareness for the women, girls and two spirit individuals that we’ve lost,” said D’alimonte. “It can be a somber reminder, but it’s so important to talk about and to create awareness for this ongoing issue.”
Registration is required to attend. Niagara College students, employees and alumni, as well as community members can register online here to participate in all or some of the activities. The event will take place at Brock University (1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines) in the Pond Inlet room.
