May 5 marks Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to disproportionate violence in Canada.
Organized in partnership by NC’s Indigenous Education department and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, 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+) for Red Dress Day by hanging red dresses at both the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Red dresses will hang at both campuses from May 2 – 12 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.
Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project installation, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women. Red dresses have become symbolic of the crisis as a result of her installation.
To continue to raise awareness for this ongoing issue, Indigenous Education will hang red dresses across each campus. In addition to the displays, IE welcomes the NC community to join them for a special film screening of Finding Dawn – a compelling documentary about the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. The screening will take place on May 5 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room N018 at the DJP Campus. Register here.
Following the film, Aria D’alimonte, Indigenous Education’s Culture and Events Coordinator will lead a discussion with reflective questions about the film and its important messaging.
Coffee for a Cause
In honour of Red Dress Day on May 5, the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) is hosting Coffee for a Cause in support of Niagara Chapter of Native Women.
Niagara Chapter of Native Women is a not-for-profit charitable organization, servicing for urban Indigenous women and families in the Niagara Region since 1983. NCNW has been a friendly connecting place, supporting Native/Indigenous women and their families through access to culturally relevant services and programs.
One hundred per cent of sales from the purchase of coffee and teas at The Shack (Welland Campus) and The Undergrounds (Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake) will go towards Niagara Chapter of Native women. We encourage you to grab a hot drink and join us for the movie!
Want to learn more?
The National Inquiry and calls to justice for MMIWG2S: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Support is 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.
- Employees are encouraged to access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
