Statement on Red Dress Day

May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People, also known as Red Dress Day.

It is a moment to reflect on the loss of the many sisters, mothers, aunties, cousins, friends and loved ones to this atrocious national tragedy. Emily Carr University stands in solidarity with all those families and communities who mourn the absence of their members.

Red Dress Day is also a moment to reflect on how we can each contribute to the call for concrete actions to end the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

To that end, please find a list of resources below exploring the ongoing impacts of anti-Indigenous racism, and to encourage participation in the fight against it. A list of supports is also included for those who may need them.

To 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

• 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.

To Grow Your Understanding

• 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

Indigenous Supports

• 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.

• The Hope for Wellness line provides culturally competent counselling for Indigenous people across the country at any time, and can be reached toll free at 1.855.242.3310. Services are available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut upon request.

• Indigenous people in BC can call the Aboriginal Crisis Line at 1.800.588.8717 to access around-the-clock support for children, youth, adults or Elders.

Support for the ECU Community

• For ECU students, trauma-informed counselling services are available to you. Counsellors will also be present on campus throughout the week in the Oasis Wellness Lounge, room D2393, for students who may be affected.

• For ECU staff and faculty, employee and family assistance services are available online at workhealthlife.com or by phone at 1.844.880.9142 (TTY 1.877.338.0275). These services are free and confidential.

• The Aboriginal Gathering Place at Emily Carr University is open to Indigenous community members daily, Monday through Friday.

• A list of further resources and community supports is available online, including 24-hour crisis supports, distress supports and free/reduced-cost counselling.