Red Dress Day
The books in this list share the stories of the missing and murdered, but also the strength and resilience of Indigenous women fighting to heal their communities.
Red Dress Day will be recognized at all Library locations from April 25 – May 7, with displays designed by Livia Manywounds, a Blackfoot designer, artist, communications specialist, and owner and founder of Dancing Storm Designs. Her designs have been featured at 2022 Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, 2023 Indigenous Fashion Week Vancouver, and National Women's Show 2024.
Some First Nations believe that the colour red is the only colour that spirits can see. Red is used so that the souls of those who have been lost can be with us. A red hand over the mouth represents the silenced voices of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit+ people.
Source: Statistics Canada
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action #41 PDF addresses the issue of disproportionate violence towards Indigenous women and girls and calls for the creation of a public inquiry into the crisis.
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: A National Operational Overview
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: 2015 Update to the National Operational Overview
Court outcomes in homicides of Indigenous women and girls, 2009-2021
Voice of Our Sisters in Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities PDF
What Their Stories Tell Us: Research Findings from the Sisters in Spirit Initiative
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls in Alberta
Alberta Joint Working Group on MMIW
Annual Memorial Walk to Honour the Lives of MMIWG2S+
Sisters in Spirit Day – Government of Alberta
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada – The Canadian Encyclopedia