‘Raising awareness and inspiring action’: School to honour Red Dress Day

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local school plans to honour Red Dress Day with a walk to bring understanding to its students.

Faculty from Margaret ‘Ma’ Murray Community School in Fort St. John have organized a walk for students for the day, to mark Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit individuals (MMIWG2S) on Monday, May 5th.

Red Dress Day began in 2010, with a display by Indigenous artist Jaime Black in 2010 when he displayed a red dress installation at the University of Winnipeg.

This is one of several events around the Peace region, including a walk at Festival Plaza organized by the Fort St. John Metis Society and Fort St. John Friendship Society.

Indigenous student support worker Jessica Quintal and Indigenous cultural and language instructor Diane Barclay have organized the event alongside teacher Heather Reese.

Being a First Nations woman, Quintal spoke about the grim anniversary adding she “grew up with racism her whole life.”

“There have been so many local women that I grew up with and went to school with that have gone missing or who have been murdered,” said Quintal. “It’s never talked about.

“I hope that students will develop a better understanding of what Red Dress Day is, why we are doing the walk and why we should not stay silent on these issues. We want all students to grow up feeling safe and cared about.”

Reese told Energeticcity.ca that as part of the event, the students will be decorating red dresses and distributing them throughout the school’s windows this week, showing the students “understanding it’s not okay to hurt people.”

“As a non-Indigenous person, recognizing MMIWG2S people on Red Dress Day is crucial for raising awareness and inspiring action to end these ongoing tragedies,” said Reese.

“Much of my generation lacked the learning of the true histories of Indigenous people and the harmful impacts of governmental policies, which continues to fuel the racism we still see today.”

The walk will be preceded by Barclay burning sweetgrass before the walk, which starts on a trail by West Bypass Road.

In Indigenous culture, sweetgrass represents the sacred hair of Mother Earth, showing resilience, strength and healing as well as the relationship between people and land.

“It is important for students to understand why we recognize this day to help break the cycle of ignorance and racism,” said Reese.

“Learning about this crisis helps students develop empathy and stand together against violence with local Indigenous communities.”

The walk will take place on May 5th, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. for students and their families.

Saulteau First Nations will also hold events on May 5th to mark Red Dress Day near its territory in Moberly Lake.