It was another Meh Day, weatherwise at least, but we did our walky regardless, and it wasn't too meh. This time, we headed downtown because I wanted to see if there were red dresses hanging outside of Zion Memorial church. Although I had just heard of the installation yesterday morning, May 8th, I later learned that the official Red Dress Day had occurred on the 5th, as it does on every year although this is new to me.
The national day of awareness and remembrance, known as Red Dress Day, was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black after she created the REDress project — an art installation of red dresses hanging in public spaces that serve as a visual reminder of the Indigenous women and girls who are no longer with us.
There were various windblown displays on the lawn; Sue captured some of them while I stood there, hands in pockets. I knew that she would cover the subject thoroughly and that there was, therefore, no need for me to duplicate her effort.
This is the same socially conscious church that serves a free, hot lunch weekly. Good for them.
Such a tragedy how many missing and murdered Indigenous/two spirited women and girls there are! We need to do so much better as a society!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a meaningful visit. Even in quiet moments like that, just showing up and bearing witness matters.
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing me to Red Dress Day. What a tragedy it represents.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with the red dress/redress project. Thanks for showing us a local demo.
ReplyDeleteGlad Sue took some good photos. And I'm so sorry that there's a legitimate reason for Red Dress Day.
ReplyDeleteThat is a poignant display.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, thanks so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this. Thanks for the info and photos.
ReplyDeleteThe church sounds like my kind of place. A sobering exhibit. :(
ReplyDeleteVery nice and thoughtful installation. I'd heard about this last year -- it's nice to see it.
ReplyDeleteFirst I've heard of this. If you posted about it before I guess I missed it.
ReplyDeleteThis was also news to me and thanks for highlighting this cause and kudos to this church for promoting awareness.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard of painted red hand emblems over faces for the supressed Native Indian tribes and their tragedies. I've seen red dresses more often for Women's Heart prevention promotions or cancer around the midwest. Nice reminders and support. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is just an Canadian observance? In any case, I don't think it is well known yet.
DeleteI did not know about this either. You know just yesterday, I listened to a young indigenous woman from Canada who became quite a powerful voice to raise awareness on these issues after the murders of her parents.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a concern up here.
DeleteStirring and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteVery striking event.
ReplyDeleteHow touching, and how infuriating that so many of these cases were never investigated. Kudos to the founder, and to the church.
ReplyDeleteHanging up red dresses for Red Dress Day seems eminently appropriate to me!
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