Red Dress Day is a National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse Peoples (MMIWG2S) that takes place on May 5. 

MMIWG2S is an ongoing human rights crisis of gender-based and racialized violence in Canada. Indigenous women’s groups estimate that more than 4,000 Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people have gone missing or been murdered in Canada since 1980. This violence is a result of past and ongoing systems of oppression and harm including colonization, racism, misogyny, transphobia, and anti-Indigeneity. 

In 2010, in response to this crisis, Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette created the REDress Project, an art installation featuring red dresses hung in public spaces to symbolize the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people across this territory. Her art installation was the inspiration for Red Dress Day in Canada.

The UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) encourages the campus community to join them in honouring Red Dress Day:  

• Display a red dress or a red dress flyer in your department or office until May 5 (You can access a Red Dress flyer here: https://tinyurl.com/33kz2r8k  If you do not have access to a colour printer, Kelly at SVPRO can send copies by interoffice mail: 902-620-5428 or sv-pro@upei.ca)
• Educate yourself on MMIWG2S (You can access the final report of the National Inquiry here: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca and Safe Passage here: www.safe-passage.ca)
• Wear red on May 5
• Take part in local vigils, walks, or events (watch for news from the Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI, L’Nuey, Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, and the Native Council of PEI)
• Speak up about MMIWG2S on social media using hashtags #MMIWG2S, #RedDressDay, and #WhyWeWearRed 

There is 24-hour support available for Indigenous, Inuit, or Métis individuals impacted by this crisis at 1-844-413-6649. Any UPEI Campus Member impacted by sexual violence can access confidential, trauma-informed support at the UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm: 902-620-5090 or sv-pro@upei.ca . SVPRO is located at the Kelley Memorial Building, Room 115-118.