National Red Dress Day is set to be upon us, with walks planned around the province to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people.
“Red Dress Day, held every May 5, originated in Canada as a movement to raise awareness about the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls,” says Peace River Aboriginal Interagency’s Wendy Goulet.
“It was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project. While the project’s roots are primarily in Canada, Red Dress Day has gained recognition and is observed in the United States as well.”
“The walk is held to raise awareness, honour lives lost, and call for justice,” explains Goulet.
“We walk because families deserve answers,” she adds. “We walk because there are no real actual supports to help families in the search for missing loved ones, and there is no financial assistance for children whose parent is missing.”
Goulet explains guardians can’t apply for orphans benefit without a death certificate which can only be obtained after seven years of someone missing. She notes this also requires a court order, this situation not helping minor children.
“If guardians make over a certain threshold the children won’t get family allowance,” says Goulet.
“Families are left to struggle emotionally and financially, while systems fail them.”
Organizers invite everyone to participate. Families, youth, Elders, allies, local leaders, Goulet says everyone is welcome because this is a community call to action and healing.
She adds there is a very simple reason as to why everyone should participate. Because every name matters.
“We walk for Jennifer Donovan, who was murdered and whose killer walks free,” Goulet says.
“For Lorraine Maltais-Chonkolay, missing since June 15, 2024 from High Level area, still no answers. For Shae-Lynn McAllister, missing since 2019 from Fairview, RCMP now treat her file as a presumed death, and yet, there’s still no justice.”
Goulet explains there is a $10,000 reward for information regarding McAllister’s disappearance, and a billboard, but she says families can’t do this alone.
“We walk so they know their loved ones are not forgotten; we remember them,” Goulet adds.
“Please also wear red. A red dress, scarf, shirt, or pin shows visual solidarity and honours the memory of the missing and murdered.”
Goulet also adds that red dresses are hung in public spaces to symbolize those who have been lost. The colour red holds deep spiritual meaning, many believe it’s the only colour spirits can see, calling them back and honoring their memory.
“This is not just about the past, it’s about what is still happening today,” she says.
“It’s about the gaps in justice, the lack of supports, and the pain families carry every single day. Colonization broke families and erased culture.”
Goulet adds residential schools deepened trauma, severing connections to language, identity, and community.
“Today, the foster care system continues the cycle, removing Indigenous children from their families and placing them in environments where they are disconnected and vulnerable,” Goulet says.
“MMIWG is the tragic result. Families are still grieving. Still searching. Still fighting for justice.”
Goulet asks that people still share the stories and say the names of MMIWG2S, support their families, push for systemic change, donate to reward funds or search efforts, volunteer or joining community organizing teams, and write to Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament demanding real policy and funding for prevention, investigation, and family support.
“We must break the cycle by rebuilding Indigenous-led systems of care, holding institutions accountable, and protecting those still here,” she concludes.
“This isn’t just history. It’s now. And we must make sure it never becomes normal.”
Emily Plihal,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
South Peace News
