Nawican Friendship Centre hosting a walk to commemorate Red Dress Day

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. —  The Nawican Friendship Centre in Dawson Creek will commemorate Red Dress Day on May 5th with a walk and ceremony honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) people in Canada.

The walk is one of multiple events taking place in the Peace region on Red Dress Day. The Metis Society of Fort St. John is hosting an artisan market, and the Treaty 8 Tribal Association will hold a vigil, walk and hair braiding workshop. 

Nawican’s event is open to the public and begins with the walk at 3 p.m. Participants in the walk will travel from NAR Park and finish back at the centre, where prayers and a drum ceremony will take place.  

MMIWG2S is a subject which profoundly affects the Indigenous community. According to Statistics Canada, 490 Indigenous women and girls were reported missing or murdered between 2009 and 2021. 

The issue has impacted the Dawson Creek community after Renee Didier and Darlyn Supernant went missing in 2023.

Jan Atkinson, the Nawican Friendship Centre Intensive Case Manager, is urging the public to take part in the march.

Atkinson, who testified at the federal government’s national inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in 2018, says the subject should not be ignored.

“It’s very personal. Violence is real,” said Atkinson. “Gender-based violence is very real. We need to do a better job at combating violence against women and children.”

“I encourage the public to come and understand there is much more they can do. This isn’t a historical issue. We’ve had two women go missing in Dawson Creek in the last year. These women were mothers, sisters and daughters. We’ve got to recognize that.”

She feels that the lack of education and the lack of recognition of MMIWG2S further erode the chances of some of these missing women being found.

Atkinson says she has seen unwavering support from the City of Dawson Creek, such as through not having to apply for permits for the upcoming event. 

“We have a good relationship with the city,” said Atkinson. “The biggest part in bridging the divide in the country comes from education.”

For more information about the event or the Nawican Friendship Centre, call their offices at (250)782-5202.