(February 3, 2022) - Since the 2010 inception of Métis artist Jaime Black’s ongoing art series, The REDress Project, heightened awareness has been brought to the staggering number of murdered and missing Indigenous women across Canada. The Red Dress campaign that stems from Black’s art series, has been honoured by Laurentian University since 2016. This year, Laurentian’s Indigenous Student Affairs (ISA) office will recognize the campaign with a virtual event on February 14, 2022.
Laurentian’s ISA Indigenous Counselor, Cynthia Belfitt, described that historically and disproportionately, Indigenous women are affected by violence. They are also over-represented in statistics of Canadian women that are murdered and missing. To bring awareness to this, the Red Dress campaign involves the hanging of red dresses to symbolize the many Indigenous women victimized by violence who are murdered and missing. Volunteers hang red dresses across campus in solidarity. “They [the red dresses] deliver a strong message,” said Belfitt. “Those dresses represent the spirit of that murdered and missing individual. So it really brings this information to the forefront….There are families and communities still really hurting that their loved ones are missing so when people come together to bring awareness to this, there is healing….The hanging dresses can be very moving and emotional.”
Belfitt provides counselling services for those participating in events connected to the campaign. “In case someone is feeling triggered or having difficulty, I’m there as support.”
While the Laurentian community and visitors to campus can expect to see hanging red dresses on campus about a week prior to the campaign’s memorial date, the virtual event on February 14 will welcome a variety of guest speakers, dancers and singers. Amongst speakers who will honour the spirits of Indigenous women include Interim Associate Vice-President, Office of Academic and Indigenous Programs, Dr. Susan Manitowabi, jingle dress dancer and Indigenous birthworker, Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat, and artist and cultural advocate, Osauskwasis Roan. Dr. Emily Faires will guide attendees in an opening prayer. A pre-recorded drive around Laurentian’s campus will enable all in attendance to be moved by the many red dresses hung on campus.
Speaking to the importance of the campaign, Dr. Susan Manitowabi added that: “The Red Dress campaign brings public awareness to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Each red dress represents the multitude of Indigenous women and girls lost to violence. The hanging of the red dresses reminds us to pause, reflect, grieve and commit to working together to end the ongoing violence toward Indigenous women and girls and 2SLLGBTQQIA to ensure a safer world for all.”
The Laurentian community and wider reaches of the Greater Sudbury community are invited to attend this Red Dress Campaign event. Individuals interested in participating in collective activism may choose to hang in their own homes or yards, red dresses, in memory and solidarity to the many Indigenous women whose lives have been affected by violence. These murdered and missing Indigenous women cannot be forgotten. We remember them in spirit.