May 5th is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day. In honour of this day, several events will be held in Chatham-Kent. Scroll down to learn about the day and events.
All events listed are open to everyone.
Please contact us DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca if you would like to add other events.
Note: it is appropriate to wear red pins, ties, coats, shirts, to show support on May 5th and around the year. Read more about the purpose of the red dress below.
About The National Day
Continue readingMay 5th is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day. In honour of this day, several events will be held in Chatham-Kent. Scroll down to learn about the day and events.
All events listed are open to everyone.
Please contact us DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca if you would like to add other events.
Note: it is appropriate to wear red pins, ties, coats, shirts, to show support on May 5th and around the year. Read more about the purpose of the red dress below.
About The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People
Also called Red Dress Day, the day honours and brings awareness to the disproportionate violence that Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people face in Canada.
The red dress was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people found that, in Canada:
- Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people are 12x more likely to go missing or be murdered than all other women, and 16x more likely than Caucasian women.
- In the last 30 years, more than 4000 Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people have gone missing or been murdered. That’s about 133 a year or 3 a week.
- Because of persistent forms of oppression (racism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism), complaints about missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Women, are less likely to be taken seriously or followed up.
The National Inquiry led to 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians.
Local Events
Tuesday, May 5, 4:00 - 6:30 PM
Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham
Co-sponsored by: Ska:Na Family Learning Centre; The Bleak House; 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre; Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network Social Planning and Action Network Member Table; and Women's Equity Business.
Everyone is welcome.
More information: May 5 2026: MMIWG Vigil & GINDAASDAA Circle | Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy | Let's Talk Chatham-Kent
Supports
This day may be triggering for some people. Help is available.
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people toll-free support phone line (24/7) 1-844-413-6649
Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7) 1-855-242-3310
Manitoba MMIWG2S Self-Help Resources
Chatham-Kent Victim's Services
Learn More
Read the final report and Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry on the National Inquiry website
Visit the National Family and Survivors Circle website
Visit the Amnesty International No More Stolen Sisters website
Find book, video and podcast recommendations on Simon Fraser University’s website
Listen to the local Ode'mini Giizis podcast on Spotify or YouTube
