File photo of red dresses seen at Galt Gardens in Lethbridge, honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, in October 2022. Red Dress Day will be marked with an event at Galt Gardens on Friday, May 5, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge residents invited to participate in Red Dress Day event

May 4, 2023 | 12:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An event will be held in Lethbridge this week to mark Red Dress Day.

Red Dress Day is an initiative aimed at honouring the memories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls across Canada. The City of Lethbridge, along with several community partners, will host a fireside connection event on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Galt Gardens.

The fireside connection will feature drumming, dancing and give attendees an opportunity to connect and share memories of people they know who have not returned home.

In 2015, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was launched, in order to investigate and report on “systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls”. These include social, economic, cultural, institutional, legislative, and other causes.

In 2019, the National Inquiry released its final report and 231 Calls for Justice. In response to this, the City of Lethbridge and partners developed the MMIWG Recommendations and Work Plan. It features 25 recommendations and a series of projects focused on reconciliation and addressing issues impacting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples in the community.

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A toolkit was developed to help residents learn more about the traditional concepts of family and community life for Niitsitapiiaakiiks (Blackfoot women), Saipáí’tapiiaakiiks (Indigenous, Non-Blackfoot women) and Two-Spirit+ people. It can be accessed online.

Read more: Lethbridge News Now