Red dresses honour Indigenous women, girls

Exhibit features 21 garments and the stories of victims of violence in honour of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

“The Missing: Red Dress Exhibit” is on display at the central branch location of the Hamilton Public Library and runs until May 15. The purpose of the exhibit is to both bring awareness and start conversations about the systemic causes of violence leading to an ongoing crisis for Indigenous women and girls.

According to the Native Women’s Association of Canada, Indigenous women and girls represented approximately 10 per cent of all female homicides in Canada between 2000 and 2008. However, Indigenous women make up only 3 per cent of the female population.

The colour red and the dresses were chosen because they serve as a sacred item of love and healing for Indigenous communities. The original REDress project was created in 2010 by Jamie Black, a Métis artist.

At the York Boulevard library, the 21 dresses of the exhibit that bear the stories of 12 victims are hung from the ceiling with chairs surrounding the set up for people to sit and take in the exhibit. The dresses are at the front of the building next to the windows, so they are visible from inside and outside. The types of dresses range from those that would be worn by toddlers to adults. There are photos and stories of those missing and murdered on display as well.

On May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) a moment of silence was held.

The exhibit has been installed by the City’s Indigenous Relations team in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library. 

–Sienna Bilancia