With Red Dress Day happening this weekend, you can take part in a local walk in Courtenay.
The Red Dress Walk will be hosted by the MIKI’SIW Métis Association and the Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society, dedicated to spreading awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people in Canada.
Women’s representative of the association Myrna Logan says this is their second event, with the first walk having taken place last year.
“It was a really good event but unfortunately, we had a lot of rain that day so it seemed kind of reflective of the situation,” said Logan.
“We had all the red dresses hung through the path in Simms Park and people were able to do that walk and reflect on where we are at with the situation.”
In a report from the Government of Canada, Indigenous women represent 10 percent of missing women in the country, with a total of 6,849 homicide cases reported between 1980 and 2014.
The day came to be following the RedDress project in 2010, where Métis artist Jaime Black hung multiple red dresses to represent the missing women. Along with raising awareness, Red Dress Day also is used to call for action against the violence inflicted on Indigenous peoples.
In terms of the community, Logan feels like people are very supportive.
“The question I get asked most about is how we can support?” said Logan.
“What people can do to support is they show up so the people working towards action know they are supported, you can also donate to missing and murdered Indigenous women’s efforts. There are several organizations that they can donate to, but make sure they are vetted organizations, and that the money is going to the right places.”
The event will start with opening ceremonies, followed by the walk, which will take place at Simms Park on Sunday, running from 2 to 4 p.m.
“We certainly see room for growth, and we are hoping as more awareness happens, more people will come out and show their support.”
