Edith Kadachuk (right) was one of the organizers of a gathering to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)
Red Dress Day

Gathering in P.A. commemorates Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirits

May 5, 2023 | 12:00 PM

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day, and Prince Albert was the site of a conference dedicated to healing and steps forward.

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) held a three-day gathering in downtown P.A. Healing, raising awareness, human trafficking research workshops, dance demonstrations, and more were all part of the ceremonies.

“The women and gentlemen that have joined us have very good intentions,” said organizer Edith Kadachuk. “Intentions of healing, supporting each other, and supporting communities with the challenges of grief and loss.”

Healing has been at the centre of the event, with multiple speakers talking about healing and knowledge keepers leading “Healing is Ceremony” segments every day. Not only is it important for them to heal, according to Kadachuk, but it’s important that they do so together.

“We’re bringing back traditional Indigenous language methods and beliefs and values, such as the Medicine Wheel and the meaning of the Medicine Wheel,” said Kadachuk. “All aspects of the individual have to be in balance for the healing of the whole part of the individual, the body, the mind, the spirit, and the heart.”

Some parts of the gathering have been emotionally difficult, as Kadachuk said there have been family members of missing and murdered people who were invited to come speak. For her, this has also given the event a deeper personal meaning.

“I’ve been with those that have lost family members, either they’re murdered or missing,” she said. “As an Indigenous woman, I want to support Indigenous women. It started with No More Stolen Sisters, and I’m here to support Indigenous people with their challenges.”

Those challenges aren’t going away, but Kadachuk felt they were at least making some progress by coming together and facing those challenges collectively and with a sense of community support.

“When they (families) come up and speak about their own personal challenges in their own family or in their community, others come up,” she said. “If they’re really struggling and they can’t speak, other women come up and comfort them and support them. That really helps.”

From 2016 to 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls researched the crisis. It determined the crisis constituted race, identity, and gender-based genocide.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP

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