Red Dress Day From Awareness to Action

On May 5, red dresses appear across Canada.

Each dress represents an Indigenous woman, girl, or Two Spirit person who is missing or has been taken.

For decades, Indigenous communities have raised concerns about the disproportionate levels of violence they face. In 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls confirmed that this violence is systemic and deeply rooted in historical and institutional failures.

There have been important steps. The national inquiry documented the crisis and issued calls for justice. Governments have acknowledged the issue and committed to action plans. Communities and organizations continue to lead awareness, support families, and preserve the memory of those lost.

These efforts matter. They have brought visibility and recognition, but progress remains uneven. Many of the calls for justice are still not fully implemented.

Real change requires full and measurable action, stronger accountability across institutions, and sustained support for Indigenous-led solutions. It also requires continued public awareness that leads to concrete results.

Red Dress Day is a moment to remember and to reflect on what remains to be done. The presence of these dresses reflects loss. The continued need for them reflects unfinished work.