October 4 is recognized as the Sisters in Spirit National Day of Action, a day to raise awareness and advocate for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+) people.
To honour this important day, Niagara College will display Red Dresses across both campuses beginning Oct. 1. These dresses stand as powerful symbols of the lives lost and the families impacted by the ongoing crisis of violence against MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Red dresses will hang at both NC campuses from Oct. 1 – 10 in honour of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ victims and their families.
This initiative is being organized by Niagara College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, in collaboration with Indigenous Education and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SSRO). Each Red Dress will feature a QR code, inviting the NC community to learn more about the significance of this day and the call for justice.
Community events
The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre will host a walk on Oct. 2 in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) people.
Community members are invited to participate by wearing Red Dresses, Ribbon Skirts, or the colour purple — symbols that represent remembrance, healing, and traditional medicines.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and will include poster-making, a potluck lunch, keynote speakers, and a Men’s Sweat Lodge.
To register for the walk, please contact Charlene Ireland at [email protected] or call 905-871-8931 ext. 243.
On Oct.4, the St. Catharines Downtown Association will hold the annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil and Walk there the community will come together in reflection, drumming and a walk through downtown.
Participants are asked to meet at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catharines City Hall (50 Church St.). The walk will conclude at St. Barnabas Church (33 Queenston St.).
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;
- Learning Resources from the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA);
- Safe Passage (an initiative of Native Women’s Association of Canada);
- Finding Dawn: a compelling documentary that explores the epidemic of missing or murdered Indigenous women in Canada;
- Missing and Murdered: The Unsolved Cases of Indigenous Women and Girls (CBC);
- 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); and
- NC’s Libraries and Learning Commons Indigenous Education sources page.
Support is available
Residential School Survivor supports: a list of supports is available on the Indigenous Education website, including the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Talk 4 Healing: Beendigen’s Talk4Healing Helpline offers help, support, and resources 24/7 to Indigenous women and their families through talk, text, and chat. Call or text 1-855-554-HEAL. Click here for the live chat.
Student supports are also available through Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, including NC’s Indigenous Counsellor, who is available to support students’ mental wellness needs.
Employees are encouraged to access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
