Latest news with #JamieBlack
CBC
11-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Singing for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls at Killarney Lake
Social Sharing This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here. There can be many different feelings about and perspectives on Red Dress Day, says Ann Paul. Recognized every year on May 5, Red Dress Day is a day to grieve and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit+ people (MMIWG2S+). The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls considers violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people to be genocide. Red Dress Day started in 2010, when Métis artist Jamie Black hung hundreds of red dresses to honour MMIWG2S+. WATCH | Whether it's joy or sadness, all Red Dress Day feelings are valid, says organizer: Ann's Eye: Honouring Red Dress Day at Killarney Lake 11 minutes ago Duration 1:30 The Under One Sky Friendship Centre in Fredericton organized a memorial walk at Killarney Lake for Red Dress Day, a national day of remembrance and awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. Many communities mark the day with marches, healing circles, sacred fires and prayer. Most dress in red — a sacred colour, Ann says — and some paint red handprints over their mouths, a symbol of those lost lives and unheard voices. To others, including Ann, the symbol is a reminder of grief and trauma, and can be discomforting to see. "Once we take that hand off their mouths, we're giving their voices back," she said. "But I understand that everyone has different perspectives." Red Dress Day itself should also go beyond one-time, performative actions, Ann said, and promote year-long education and awareness. Ann joined members of Under One Sky Friendship Centre for a Red Dress Day memorial walk around Killarney Lake. Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see more. Ann's Eye Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work.
CBC
06-05-2025
- CBC
Red Dress Day needs to go beyond just one day, say advocates in N.L.
Events this week across Newfoundland and Labrador are marking Red Dress Day, but advocates say discussion and education need to happen every day. Red Dress Day, officially marked on Monday, is a national day of remembrance and awareness for missing and murdered, Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit People. The Assembly of First Nations says Indigenous women make up 16 per cent of women who are murdered in Canada, and 11 per cent of women who go missing. The day has been marked since 2010, when Métis artist Jamie Black coined the term by using red dresses to represent those who were lost. "Today is a hard day for our family, because it's a reminder of the challenges that we face as Indigenous people," Qalipu First Nation Chief Jenny Brake said during a gathering in Corner Brook on Monday. "It's a harsh reality." In St. John's, First Light is hosting events throughout the week, including drop-in support sessions for members of the community. WATCH | Dozens gathered to mark Red Dress Day in Corner Brook: Qalipu marks Red Dress Day with emotional ceremony 1 day ago Duration 2:46 Leah Randell, a cultural support worker with First Light, told CBC News that the day — and those before and after it — are challenging. She says it's important to ensure that conversations around missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and gender-based violence continue throughout the year, coming from a place of awareness, education and understanding. "We have to wrap around those supports as we fight for this to stop. We have to support our communities at the same time.… It's not just about putting a red dress up, it's about having the understanding," she said. "This day is about also reaching out for judicial and systematic change so this does not have to continue happening. And as it is happening, still happening, we have to support our Indigenous communities and be there for them." And although the day is challenging, Brake says it also highlights the important task of educating the community. "It's hard, and it's heavy, and it's sometimes even hard to get out of bed to go at this kind of stuff," Brake said. "When we show up and support one another and lift each other up, we end that cycle of trauma…. If we don't stand tall together, then we will fall apart." Quinn Jesso, an Indigenous member of the Bay of Islands 2SLGBTQ+ community, says conversations also have to include preserving the memories of those who have been lost. "There's a lot of people who aren't going home. And we need to remember those people. We need to have their hopes and dreams with us," Jesso said. "Because if they're not here to do it, we'll do it for them."
