The Importance of Red Dress Day
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day, is observed on May 5th in Canada. Gitxsan are a matriarchal society, our hanaa’k strengthen our wilnaat'ahl (family), pdeek (clan), wilps (houses), aluugigyet (people). It is important to acknowledge our hanaa’k as matriarchs; life givers, caretakers, cultural strength, knowledge and language teachers.
We encourage Gitxsan Development Corporation and subsidiaries to wear red in honour of, and to raise awareness of the thousands of stolen gastik'eekws (sisters) and our lost ensii'pinsxwii (loved ones) across the country who did not make it home, who are still missing and continue to go missing, who have been found without justice.
A few ways to commemorate this day:
Wear red – dresses, shirts, pins, earrings etc.
Learn more about MMIW
Partake in a community and/or organized MMIW events
Light a candle
Walk in honor
Hold your loved tighter
Hazelton office has been decorated to honor this day
Ha gwilii yin: Walk gently
