May 5 is Red Dress Day, the national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people. Each year on this day, we wear red to honour our mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts, siblings and diversely gendered relatives and acknowledge the families and communities that have been impacted by the on-going crisis of MMIWG2S+.

At UVic, our pledge is ʔetalnəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | Respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things. This reinforces our commitment to implement core local, national and international responsibilities and calls to action that support the rights and sovereignties of Indigenous Peoples—including the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Report.

How to take action on Red Dress Day

Attend

• “Our Women Are Sacred” walk on May 5. Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services, in partnership with Songhees First Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, South Island Indigenous Authority, Indigenous Perspectives Society, M’akola Housing Society and Island Métis Family & Community Services Society will host this walk beginning at 10 a.m. at Hallowell Rd. and walk to Maple Bank Rd.

Read

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and work to strengthen the demand for implementation of the Calls for Justice
• Keetsahnak: Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Sisters, an anthology to honour murdered and missing loved ones, which includes voices from the UVic and island community
• Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls, by Angela Sterritt
• Stolen Sisters: The Story Of Two Missing Girls, Their Families And How Canada Has Failed Indigenous Women by Emmanuelle Walter
• Will I see? by David Robertson, a story of tragedy and beauty that illuminates the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. May, a young teenage girl, traverses city streets finding keepsakes that open a world of danger and fantasy.
• If I Go Missing by Briana Jonnie, a young adult graphic novel that serves as a window into one of the unique dangers of being an Indigenous teen in Canada today. The text is derived from a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by fourteen-year-old Brianna Jonnie.
• Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDiarmid, a searing and revelatory account of the Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of Highway 16 in northwestern British Columbia.

Expand your knowledge

• National Indigenous Women’s Resource Centre
• The Greater Sudbury Police Service: Indigenous Women and Girls Missing Persons Toolkit and Resource Guide
• UBC resource centre
• Their Voices Will Guide Us: Student and youth engagement guide, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Support

Indigenous artists who are helping to raise awareness:

• Shop Jada
• Little Red Dress Project
• Resilient Inuk Creations
• "She is someone" MMIWG2I+ Hoodie

Watch

• Finding Dawn by Christine Welsh (NFB)
• Unbroken - An evening with Angela Sterritt
• The Highway video by n'we jinan
• Song for the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women by Anton George
• Red Dress by Amanda Rheaume feat. Chantal Kreviazuk

Wear

Wear red or hang a red dress to show your support for the families and communities of MMIWG2S+ and Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.

Donate

Donate to initiatives that support Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people in our community:

• Sacred Indigenous group at Peers Victoria
• Victoria Women’s Transition House Society
• Bridges for Women
• Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Resources and supports

Indigenous resources

KUU-US Crisis Line Society
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll Free Line: 1-800-588-8717

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors.
Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419

First Nations Health Authority mental health benefits
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from a qualified mental health provider, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers.

Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women.

UVic resources

SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621

Counselling for Indigenous students
Indigenous counsellors provide individual and group counselling that treats the heart, body, mind and spirit for Indigenous students. Sessions are flexible in length, you are seen on the spot for emergency appointments and, in general, you are able to meet with the Indigenous Counsellor without having to wait too long.

UVic Counselling Services
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie Avenue across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling 250-721-8563. Indigenous counsellors are available.

Here2Talk
Connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a BC post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, available 24/7 via app, phone and web.

Other resources

Vancouver Island Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term non-judgmental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources. Call 1-888-494-3888.