National MMIP Awareness Day, also known as Red Dress Day, was honoured on Friday, May 5. Beginning as a grassroots movement called the REDdress project, this day brings awareness to the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people across Canada. It is associated with empty red dresses to evoke the missing women who should be wearing them. We now also see images of a red hand over the mouth representing all of the missing sisters whose voices will not be heard.
Students at E.W. Pratt High School attended a mini-conference. They chose from the following hour-long events, and afterwards, staff provided bannock and bison burgers.
Healing Through Art - Todd Kachuk
Traditional Teachings - Tina Isadore
The Rock Exercise - Jessie Johnson,
Healthy Relationships - Jennifer Bell, AHS Public Health
The Injustice of MMIWG - Wendy Goulet, MMIP Advocate
MMIP Info Session & Safety - Lakeshore Regional Police Service
Toni's Story - Sharon Walker-Twin, Indigenous Education Coach
Sharon Walker-Twin spoke about former E.W. Pratt student Tonesha Walker’s tragic passing in 2012, and how she was personally affected by this loss. She shared about who Toni was and how her beautiful legacy lives on through all who knew her. Toni’s story speaks to the importance of this issue and how it not only affects Indigenous people but everyone, and how they can use their voices and take a stand against violence towards women, girls, and children.
The Lakeshore Regional Police Service provided students with tips on staying safe, including always telling someone where you are going and who you are with. Nancy Chalifoux described how to report a missing person and emphasized that it is not necessary to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. Sara Stewart spoke about consent, recognizing unsafe situations, and what to do if you have been harmed or assaulted. Students were given red MMIW hoodies and encouraged to wear them to raise awareness of this issue. They were also given the opportunity to write the name of a missing or murdered loved one on a memorial ribbon.
At Georges P. Vanier School, older students cut out illustrations of bison and decorated them with meaningful messages and drawings. They later attached the pictures to the fences outside the school. Younger students decorated plant pots with ribbons and meaningful messages, images, and designs. They then planted seeds in the pots.
At Kinuso School, students and staff wore red to bring awareness to this day. Unfortunately, the planned opening prayer, awareness walk, and lunch had to be cancelled due to poor air quality.
At Prairie River School, students learned about the significance of the colour red and later placed their handprints on the school's sidewalk with red paint.
Prairie View Outreach students took part in an info session and then decorated red butterflies with meaningful messages.
For further resources go to https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report.
If you are affected by the issue of missing and murdered women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people and need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.