National MMIWG2S Awareness Day – May 5th

What is National MMIWG2S Awareness Day?

Since 2010, May 5th has been regarded as National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children, and Two-Spirit People Awareness Day – also known as Red Shirt Day.

On May 5th, we wear red to honour the thousands of First Nations women, girls, and two-spirit people who we’ve lost to senseless violence in Canada.

How did Nation MMIWG2S Awareness Day start?

National MMIWG2S Awareness Day began with an art installation called the REDress Project created by Métis artist Jaime Black in 2010. Black’s powerful installation featured hundreds of empty red dresses representing all missing and murdered Indigenous women and children across Canada.
The REDress Project is now a permanent installation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights where you can go and experience it’s impact for yourself.

Why Red Shirts?

The colour red has been a symbolic colour for many Indigenous tribes for centuries. It can be seen on the young warrior’s face paint or on clothing to enhance the beauty of a woman. For many, red is known as the only colour that transcends the physical world. In other words, red is the only colours that Indigenous spirits can see.

We wear red to not only call attention to the importance of the day, but to call upon the Indigenous spirits who have been lost to violence and reconnect them with their families.

Why We Care

Indigenous women, children and two-spirit people are 6x more likely to be murdered in Canada than any other woman. Over the years, a number of social, economic, and political factors have allowed violence to run rampant, resulting in an unknown number of Indigenous casualties.

Wearing red on May 5th is one way that we can show solidarity and support for our First Nation sisters. It is the first step in a commitment to understanding the issues surrounding this type of violence. From there, we can begin to create lasting and meaningful change to end the disproportionate levels of violence Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people endure daily.

How Can I get Involved?

By purchasing a Gen7 Fuel No More Stolen Sisters T-Shirt, you are donating directly to Indigenous women and family shelters in need. Pick up your t-shirt today at participating Gen7 Fuel locations.

Want to get involved?

Here is a list of trusted organizations that continuously fight for Indigenous Peoples:
Amnesty International (https://amnesty.ca/what-we-do/indigenous-peoples-canada/)
Native Women’s Association of Canada (https://nwac.ca/)
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/home-page/)