Red Dress Day activities in Saskatoon

Red Dress Day (May 5) is a National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit people. IWG2S persons are at a greater risk of abuse and violence due to factors beyond their control such as gender, cultural heritage, gender identity, poverty, and colonialism.

The first Red Dress Day in 2010 was inspired by a national public art installation where red dresses were hung in a variety of places to bring attention to this crisis. Since then, displaying red dresses has been a way to increase awareness. There is a permanent red dress installation in the lobby of Saskatoon City Hall.

Following are some ways to get involved and help raise awareness:

Saskatoon Police Service Calling Home Ceremony
May 3 | 9 A.M. | SPS Headquarters (76 25th St E)
Pipe Ceremony & Gathering to honour all MMIWG2S persons and the ones left behind

Office of the Treaty Commissioner MMIWG Educational Session – Guest Speaker Elizabeth Zdunich  
May 3 | 2 to 3 P.M. | via Zoom
Session registration here

Red Dress Day Installation
May 3 | 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. | University of Saskatchewan, Campus Bowl
All members of the University of Saskatchewan community are invited to gather in the bowl on Friday, May 3. There will be hands on activities and the opportunity to make red dress pins. Part of the display will be moved to the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre for the weekend. The City is lending its storyboards for this temporary installation.

Beaded Red Dress Earrings Workshop
May 5 | 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. | Wanuskewin
Workshop registration here

Screening at Remai Modern
May 5 | 12:30 to 2 P.M. | Remai Modern
Film will be “Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy”
 
Awareness Walk
May 5 | 2 P.M. | starts/ends at Vimy Memorial Bandstand
This event is led by community with the support of the City of Saskatoon, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Family Information Liaison Units, Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together), University of Saskatchewan (students and staff at Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre) as well as numerous individuals.

Visit saskatoon.ca/RedDress for the most up to date information.