Our Safety is Sacred: Recognizing Red Dress Day

Thunder Bay, ON – May 5 marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), also known as “Red Dress Day.”

Indigenous women are at the forefront of community safety work, supporting culture-based healing and nurturing vibrant, strong and prosperous communities. We are leaders in our families, our communities, and our nations. As knowledge keepers, we hold the solutions to the issues we face, drawing on the wisdom of our ancestors. Despite our tireless efforts, Indigenous women are still not safe.

The national crisis of MMIWG2S continues unabated, despite the National Inquiry’s 231 Calls to Justice. We continue to see little substantive action, investment, or leadership by any level of government to improve our safety. Instead, Canada’s response to the Calls for Justice has been marked by a lack of transparency and accountability, underfunding and misaligned funding, and slow implementation.

As a result, the violence against us has been increasing at an exponential rate since the National Inquiry was launched in 2016. Recent Statistics Canada data shows that the homicide rate for Indigenous women doubled from 2016-2024. This is not just data – this is our sister, mother, daughter, auntie, niece, grandmother. This would not happen if the Calls for Justice that keep Indigenous women safe were implemented.

The path to safety for Indigenous women has already been laid out before us – for decades, it has been documented in recurring, longstanding recommendations across multiple reports developed by Indigenous women, and amplified through the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice. This path is paved with Indigenous-led solutions focused on prevention and healing, rather than the aftermath of violence. It includes Indigenous women’s leadership in all decisions that impact, or have the potential to impact our lives, and our families.

The Calls for Justice that keep Indigenous women safe require all of us to lead.

“We are at a crossroads – we are at a critical point where the choices and investments we collectively make today, the action we take (or decide not to take), and who is empowered, will determine who succeeds or who gets left behind. As Indigenous women, we refuse to be silenced or left behind.” Cora McGuire Cyrette, CEO, ONWA.

Today, we honour the Indigenous women and girls who should be with us. We honour the families and loved ones who continue to seek justice, healing and accountability. Red Dress Day is more than a day of remembrance – it is a call to action. It is time to implement the Calls for Justice that keep Indigenous women safe. Our safety is sacred.

For more information and media inquiries, contact:

Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca

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About the Indigenous Women’s Accountability Table:

The Indigenous Women’s Accountability Table is a national table of Indigenous women leaders working to create safety and healing for Indigenous women through systemic change. The Table advances Indigenous women’s safety, monitors the implementation and outcomes of the MMIWG2S National Action Plan, and holds the government accountable for its commitments to addressing the MMIWG crisis. Members include:

• Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Chair – Ontario Native Women’s Association

• Joan Riggs, Facilitator – Catalyst Research and Communications

• Sandra Montour, Member – Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services

• Fay Blaney, Member – Aboriginal Women’s Action Network

• Stephanie Mikki Adams, Member - Inuuqatigiit Centre for Children, Youth and Families

• Terry Swan, Member - Wahkohtowin Consulting,

• Kathy Absolon, Member – Wilfred Laurier University

• Odelle Pike, Member – Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network

• Shirely Cuillierrier, Member – Former RCMP Assistant Commissioner, Policing/Justice Consultant and Indigenous Relations Advisor

• Jeanine George, Member – Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario

About the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA):

ONWA is a not-for-profit organization that empowers and supports all Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario through research, advocacy, policy development, and programs that focus on local, regional, and provincial activities.

Established in 1971, ONWA delivers culturally enriched programs and services to Indigenous women and their families regardless of their status or locality. We are committed to providing services that strengthen communities and guarantee the preservation of Indigenous culture, identity, art, language, and heritage.

Ending violence against Indigenous women and their families and ensuring equal access to justice, education, health services, environmental stewardship, and economic development sit at the cornerstone of the organization. ONWA insists on social and cultural well-being for all Indigenous women and their families, so that all women, regardless of tribal heritage, may live their best life.