Achi news desk-
Indigenous groups, leaders and nations are gathering Sunday across the province demanding justice and accountability on the annual Red Dress Day.
The Union of Indian Chiefs of BC and the First Nations Leadership Council said Sunday marks a day of solidarity with victims, survivors and families of missing and murdered women, girls and members of the LGBTQ community.
Indigenous women​​​​ make up 16 percent of all homicide victims and 11 percent of all missing women in Canada.
Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ people are also six times more likely to be murdered than their non-Indigenous counterparts, the First Nations Leadership Council said.
“It is shameful that the violence and deaths of women, Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people continue unabated in Canada and represent a tragic ongoing crisis that highlights the systemic injustices and vulnerabilities of First Nations communities,” said Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Executive. He said.
“Canada must address the issues involved and establish a clear timetable for the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice. In addition, the Indigenous and Human Rights oversight body is necessary in response to this crisis. We look forward to contributing to the next steps for the implementation of the Indigenous Rights Ombudsmen.”
Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jamie Black’s installation project, which had red dresses hanging in public spaces across Canada and the United States as a visual reminder of the number of Indigenous women who have been killed or are missing.
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There are several events and walks around the province, including one in Pitt Meadows and Penticton.
In Penticton, there is a Red Dress Day walk and a film screening of ‘Adaawk’, a documentary on the lives of families affected by the events along the Highway of Tears.
At Pitt Meadows, a walk and ceremony will also be held.
“While disproportionate rates of violence continue to affect Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people + with no signs of slowing, families, loved ones, First Nations and advocates remain steadfast in their efforts to bring the crisis is over,” said Melissa Moses, Students’ Union. BC Indian Chiefs women’s representative.
In Kamloops, models in uniquely designed red dresses are taking to the runway this weekend.
“The stories that come out through fashion are very moving,” said Kim Coltman, organizer of the two-day Revolutions Red Dress Fashion Festival in Kamloops.
The 63-year-old former model says the eight designers taking part in the festival have created items to honor Red Dress Day, the national day of awareness for missing and missing Indigenous women and girls. Their murder is seen annually on May 5.
“For most of them, they have been touched by this issue personally,” Coltman said.
Coltman’s mother was a residential school survivor from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.
She also describes herself as a survivor. Her childhood was marred by stays in foster care. She was abducted and attacked as a teenager. She says she knows all too well the world that indigenous women can live in.
Fashion empowered Coltman. She signed with a modeling agency in 1972 and later created her own.
But the issue of violence aimed at indigenous women and girls remained close to her heart.
When she saw the red dress movement, Coltman says she was inspired, and in 2015 she founded Fashion Speaks International.
– with files from Canadian Press
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
