Today, we recognize the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in Canada.

The Red Dress is a symbol first introduced by Jaime Black’s art series, ‘The REDress Project,’ which was to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis and systemic issues around violence faced by an alarming number of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people and the need for us all to take action to work toward efforts to address this ongoing issue.

By recognizing this day, the City encourages everyone in the community to take action to ensure all members, regardless of who they are or their background, are free to participate in the right to be safe in our communities. We recognize it isn’t enough to stand by idly. We must take a stance on everyone’s right to live peacefully and be protected through our justice system.

The Call to Justice document number 15.1 reads, ‘We call on all Canadians to denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.’

 We are grateful to the many community partners who work endlessly to help support the Calls to Justice, and we are proud to be a contributing partner in their efforts.

Êkosi Mâka,

Mayor Jackie Clayton