An original art piece by Katzie First Nation artist Rain Pierre will be showcased by the City of Pitt Meadows in honour of Red Dress Day next weekend.
Red Dress Day, or the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S), takes place on Sunday, May 5. A ceremony in Pitt Meadows will take place between 1-2 p.m..
“At this ceremony, we will honour and remember the many people who have lost their lives to violence, and recognize their families and communities that live with the grief of losing loved ones,” said City of Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald.
“In the coming days, the red dresses that will be displayed throughout šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) will raise awareness and serve as a powerful reminder of the more than 1,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada. We encourage members of our community to please join us in person on this important day,” commented MacDonald.
The REDress Project began in 2010, after Métis artist Jaime Black displayed an installation of a series of empty red dresses to honour and symbolize the staggering number of Indigenous women who are no longer with us, said the city. Since then, the project has been installed in public spaces throughout Canada and the United States.
Red is worn on this day to bring awareness to and reflect on the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada.
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Rain Pierre’s art piece is currently on display in the lobby of city hall and is a tribute to those who have been lost – embodying the beauty of the Indigenous people. It will be available for the public to view throughout the month of May.
The Pitt Meadows ceremony will include members of local First Nations who will perform drumming of traditional songs and lead the community on a walk together. The ceremony, added the director of parks, recreation and culture Diane Chamberlain, will also include Indigenous hoop and jingle dancing by Haida and Scottish dancer Jane Wylie as well as traditional healing medicines for smudging from the Fraser River Indigenous Society (FRIS).
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The city is cautioning those who are thinking about attending that the ceremony will address topics that may be traumatic.
They are reminding the public that the Government of Canada has made available a toll-free crisis call line offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1-844-413-6649. This call line provides support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to MMIWG2S people in Canada.
For more information about the May 5th ceremony go to: pittmeadows.ca/red-dress-day.
For more information about artist Jamie Black’s REDress Project, go to: jaimeblackartist.com.