Red Dress Day ceremony on Hamilton Mountain raises awareness for abused people

With red dresses on display, local Indigenous communities gathered on Hamilton Mountain Monday to celebrate the 15th annual Red Dress Day.

According to the federal government, the majority of Indigenous women in Canada experience some form of abuse in their lifetimes.

Monday marked Red Dress Day, a day aimed to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people.

Testimonials being shared, and colouring activities were some of the things offered at a Red Dress Day ceremony held Monday morning at the Native Women’s Centre on Hamilton Mountain.

Danielle Ridge, the Executive Director of the Native Women’s Centre, says the event raises awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirited and LGBTQIA+ people.

“So the red dresses around the room are symbolizing solidarity for our missing relatives,” said Ridge. “We were successful in naming out all the murdered and missing Indigenous women in Ontario.”

Among those in attendance was Lissa Wassegijig, who is Indigenous.

She was seen wearing a custom-made red shirt with a photo of her neigh on it, who was murdered.

“Renee – she’s our niece – she was young and she was murdered by her boyfriend, and this was local here in Hamilton,” said Wassegijig. “When these types of events happen, we want to come in support and, you know, [it] just helps us with our grief and it helps us with us to talk about it and bring awareness.”

The International Red Dress Project was inspired by Metis artist Jamie Black back in 2010.

Ridge says the red dress also serves as a visual reminder for the need for justice and action.

“We all have a role in increasing awareness of the problem, pushing for legislative forums and supporting individual Indigenous-led projects that address the ongoing crisis,” said Ridge.

According to the government of Canada, 63 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.

The Native Women’s Centre staff say they hope that events like Red Dress Day will help bring healing to the community.

“The more we spend time together, the more we can build awareness, the more we can commemorate together, build solidarity and create a safe atmosphere for victims to come,” said Ridge.

Participants say Monday’s red dress ceremony is a step forward in the right direction, but there’s still much to be done.

“I think it’s important for us to continue to wear the red and, you know, make it known to the community that these things still happen,” said Wassegijig.

A ceremony and march through downtown St. Catharines and a gathering at Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre was also held Monday to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people.

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