October 4 marks the Sisters in Spirit National Day of Action, a day dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) people.
Red dressed will hang at both NC campuses from Oct 1 – 11.
On October 1 – 11, Niagara College will honour this National Day of Action by hanging Red dresses across both campuses in memory of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ victims and their families.
Organized by NC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, in partnership with Community Relations and Events, Indigenous Education and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SSRO), the Red dresses will serve as a reminder of the injustices and violence faced by MMIWG and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people. The Red dresses will feature QR codes for NC staff, students and faculty to scan to learn more about this important day.
Important information
An awareness campaign will be active on all digital screens at both NC campuses from Oct. 1 – 11. This campaign will highlight important statistics regarding violence experienced by MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Community events
There are a number of community events happening to recognize Sisters in Spirit National Day of Action for MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ people on Oct. 4.
City of St. Catharines: Please join a community walk starting at St. Catharines City Hall to Positive Living Niagara to honor Sisters in Spirit. The walk begins at 5:30 p.m.
Indigenous Women of Niagara (IWON) will be providing snacks and refreshments as well as other local community helpers.
Resources to Support Further Learning
- Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;
- Our Sisters In Spirit: MMIWG Documentary from alumnus Nick Printup (BRTF, 2015). Printup created the film as a student in NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program to explore the question of calling a national public inquiry into Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls;
- Mother. Sister. Daughter (CBC);
- Learning Resources from the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA);
- Safe Passage (an initiative of Native Women’s Association of Canada);
- Missing and Murdered: The Unsolved Cases of Indigenous Women and Girls (CBC); and
- A Moral Argument to Search the Landfill in Winnipeg for Murdered Indigenous Women (article on the Search the Landfill movement, posted by The Conversation, Sept. 7, 2023).
Supports available
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour service at 1-866-925-4419.
Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.
Talk 4 Healing offers 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario.
- Talk: Call us at 1-855-554-HEAL and live support will be there to listen, any time of day.
- Text: Simply send us a message to receive support anywhere.
- Chat: Click on our live chat option and start your session to begin your path to healing.
Niagara College student supports are also available through Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services, including from NC’s Indigenous Counsellor, who is available to support students’ mental wellness needs.
Staff and faculty are encouraged to access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
