The Sisters In Spirit monument is the site for the Red Dress Day ceremony in Prince Albert on May 5, 2024. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

RED DRESS DAY

‘More that needs to be done’: P.A. to mark Red Dress Day with solemn ceremony

May 4, 2024 | 12:00 PM

For more than two decades, Canadians have been coming together to remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

On Sunday, during Red Dress Day, community members and special guests will carry on that tradition in Prince Albert.

The event will run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sisters In Spirit monument on the riverbank in downtown P.A.

The program will include drumming performances, poignant speeches, and a chance to reflect as a community. Due to trouble receiving a permit, a walk will not take place.

Despite this, the Director of Health and Social Development with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), Shirley Woods anticipates many people will come.

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Woods said the main objective of holding this event is to continue to raise awareness and provide education on the issue and the challenges faced by families daily.

Red Dress Day was first commemorated in 2010, to pay respect to the victims, and call on all levels of government to take action to address the racialized and gendered violence inflicted on Indigenous peoples.

In 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report, stating that “persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”

From that report, 231 Calls for Justice were given to governments, police, and public services to draw attention to and end violence against Indigenous women.

When asked if she believes the message around MMIWG is still being heard, Woods said yes, but more needs to be done.

“I think that there’s definitely an increased awareness amongst people about some of the challenges that are faced for women and for the families involved,” she said. “I still think there’s a lot more that needs to be done.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com