Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad / Red Dress Day
May 5 is Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad / Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Men and Two-Spirit People (MMIWGM2S). Historically, the acronym (MMIWG2S) did not include male-identifying persons; however, 成人大片 has added 鈥淢鈥� to acknowledge and emphasize that Indigenous men are disproportionately affected by ongoing colonial violence and are than non-Indigenous men. Although Indigenous people account for only 5% of Canada鈥檚 population, they accounted for 25% of all homicide victims in 2023.
The day is designated to honour the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous Persons across Canada. Visible reminders of this day are symbolized by hanging red dresses in windows, on fences, on balconies or in trees in connection to Mother Earth. The dresses represent the pain and loss that is felt by loved ones and survivors and the impact on Indigenous families, communities and nations across Turtle Island.
The origins of Red Dress Day
In 2010, M茅tis artist Jamie Black launched the REDress Project, strategically displaying hundreds of red dresses in public spaces to symbolize the absence of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or have been murdered, aiming to raise awareness about this pressing issue. Indigenous women are than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence: Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, and 11% of missing women, yet Indigenous People make up just 4.3% of Canada鈥檚 population.
Over the last few years, Red Dress Day has gained recognition nationwide. Commemorations include wearing red, hanging red dresses and holding marches, processions and vigils. .
Who are the MMIWGM2S?
MMIWGM2S stands for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men and two-spirit people, who are statistically more likely to experience violence, go missing, or be murdered than non-Indigenous persons. The families of missing and murdered Indigenous women have been raising awareness for decades.
In 2004, the Native Women鈥檚 Association of Canada launched the Sisters In Spirit campaign to address violence against Indigenous women and girls, creating a database of these disappearances for greater coordination and communication across communities. Through this program, Indigenous communities and allies collectively called for a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which took place from 2016 to 2019.
Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad | Red Dress Day 2026
This year at 成人大片, we are commemorating this day by having a Gathering Circle which includes a pipe ceremony and our third annual outdoor Red Dress Exhibit | Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin. The exhibit will be a visible reminder, bringing forth awareness of the targeted gendered and racialized crimes against the Indigenous Peoples.
All community members are invited to visit and observe the Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin | Red Dress Exhibit located this year at Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas).
Red Dress Exhibit
- Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Afternoon Programming (at stage) Starting at 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Sankofa Square (Formerly Yonge-Dundas)
- Description: Exhibit of 100+ red dresses
Red Dress Day Gathering Circle
- Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (or until done)
- Location: SLC 8th Floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) at 341 Yonge St.
- Description: Gathering of various teachings, offering of tobacco, prayers and conclude with a berry feasting.
- Moontime Protocol: Please keep in mind, the protocol of women on their 鈥渕oontime鈥� (menstrual time) is to refrain from being directly in the circle of the pipe. There will be a cedar circle for those who are on their time to be in the circle if wanting to attend the Gathering Circle.
Donate a dress
- Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor of the Library during our opening . The Library Building is located at 350 Victoria Street.
- Sankofa Square Security Office (right of stage) April 15th - 24th from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.
- Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre will also host a Red Dress drop off box in the front foyer POD-60 from April 13th - April 30th.
Community members are invited to donate a red dress for next year鈥檚 exhibit. Please get in touch with Crystal Osawamick, manager, Indigenous events and special projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca.
To register for the event and/or to volunteer, please refer to our .
Red Dress Day poster links for download: (image file) jpg and (PDF file) pdf
Questions?
For more information about this event, please contact Crystal Osawamick, manager, Indigenous events and special projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca.
Responding to calls for justice directed at educators
In 2019, was published, including 231 individual calls for justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians. These calls for justice are 鈥渓egal imperatives鈥� and are important ways all people can work to 鈥渆nd the genocide and transform systemic and societal values that have worked to maintain colonial violence.鈥�
At 成人大片, we are raising awareness about Red Dress Day and MMIWG2S, responding to the calls for justice directed at educators (11.1 and 11.2).
鈥淲e call upon all elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions and education authorities to educate and provide awareness to the public about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people, and about the issues and root causes of violence they experience. All curriculum development and programming should be done in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, especially Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Such education and awareness must include historical and current truths about the genocide against Indigenous Peoples through state laws, policies, and colonial practices. It should include, but not be limited to, teaching Indigenous history, law and practices from Indigenous perspectives and the use of Their Voices Will Guide Us with children and youth.鈥�
鈥淲e call upon all educational service providers to develop and implement awareness and education programs for Indigenous children and youth on the issue of grooming for exploitation and sexual exploitation.鈥�
Further educate yourself about MMIWG2S
MMIWG2S should not only be remembered and honoured on May 5. The 成人大片 community is encouraged to educate yourself by delving into accurate sources about MMWIG2S. Suggested resources to explore:
- AJ+ |
- Assembly of First Nations |
- Brianna Olson-Pitawanakwat and Cyndy Baskin |
- CBC Kids |
- Courtney Skye |
- Pamela Palmater |
- KAIROS Canada |
- Jamie Black |
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls |
- National Museum of the American Indian |
- Native Women's Association of Canada |
- Native Women's Association of Canada |
- Nickita Longman |
- Shades of Our Sisters |
The resources above were compiled as part of the Red Dress Day e-campaign developed by members of the Rebirthed Teachings Community Learning Circles, in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Indigenous Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, 成人大片 Libraries and the President鈥檚 Office.
Past events
2025 Second Annual Outdoor Exhibit (May 5, 2025)
Building on the impact of the inaugural year, 成人大片 hosted its second annual outdoor exhibit on Gould Street on May 5, 2025.
Highlights:
- Morning Red Dress Day Gathering Circle (Pipe Ceremony): Held in collaboration with Cultural and Mental Support Services, grounding the day in ceremony, community, and cultural teachings.
- Expanded Installation: The display grew significantly, with approximately 60 dresses, two shirts, and one pair of pants鈥攔epresenting increased community engagement and awareness.
The growth in participation and the number of displayed garments reflected deeper community involvement and a strengthening commitment to honouring MMIWG2S.
Left-to-right: Crystal Osawamick (Event Organizer, Staff), Wyatt Wichert (成人大片 Student) and Elwood Ashawasega (Weecheetowin Cultural Support Elder)
Significance and Impact
The red dresses symbolize:
- The pain and loss felt by families and survivors
- The lasting impact on Indigenous families, communities, and Nations
- The absence of those whose lives were taken or remain missing
By creating a visible and educational presence on campus, 成人大片 contributed to national efforts to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and honour the memories of those affected.
The Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin / Red Dress Exhibits at 成人大片 in 2024 and 2025 marked meaningful steps in institutional and community recognition of MMIWG2S. Through ceremony, art, education, and collective remembrance, the initiative continues to build awareness and strengthen solidarity with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.
The increasing participation from 19 dresses in 2024 to over 60 garments in 2025 reflects both growth and a sustained commitment to remembrance, education, and advocacy.
To commemorate this day, on May 5 and 6, 2024, 成人大片 held its first outdoor Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin / Red Dress Exhibit. The exhibit was a visible reminder, bringing forth awareness of the targeted gendered and racialized crimes against the Indigenous Peoples.
Four Indigenous women staff members at 成人大片 led the work to bring together the campaign and exhibits to honour Red Dress Day. Many other staff and partners supported this work. Pictured from left: Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives; Amy Desjarlais, lead, Rebirthed Teachings, Indigenous Initiatives; Crystal Osawamick, manager, Indigenous events and special projects, University Events and Ceremonies; and Monica McKay, director, Indigenous Initiatives. All photos by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI).
To begin the day鈥檚 events, 成人大片 Libraries unveiled the micro gallery, which . The gallery, located on the main floor of the main library, comprised books wrapped with fabric sourced from Indigenous vendors. The installation is part of to respect and honour the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men and two-spirit people.
成人大片 leaders and the event organizers provided welcome remarks. Speakers included Monica McKay (centre-left), director of the Indigenous Initiatives unit in the OVPECI as well as the dean of Libraries, Mark Robertson (centre).
The books in the micro gallery were wrapped by students, staff and librarians during book wrapping events in March at the Libraries鈥� Digital Media Experience Lab. Some of the books were marked with the names of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls printed in gold on the spine.
Zhinoomaagewin, in anishinaabemowin (Ojibway/Odawa) language, means a showing. As part of the outdoor exhibit at 成人大片, red dresses were hung in trees along Gould street. Crystal Osawamick (right), organized and led the installation. She smudged the dresses before hanging them with care and concluded the exhibit with a small feast offering of berries, water and tobacco. The displaying of red dresses in public spaces began in 2010 when M茅tis artist Jamie Black launched the . The dresses symbolize the absence of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or have been murdered and aim to raise awareness about this pressing issue.
The exhibit of red dresses strung along Gould street was a visible reminder of the targeted crimes against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
The word 鈥榬edress鈥� means to remedy or set right. The display of red dresses in public spaces is meant not just as a memorial for MMIWG2S, but as a call to action (Native Women鈥檚 Association of Canada).