Blue Jean Jacket Day aims to shed light on murdered and missing Indigenous men and boys

Mary Jane Mitchell was among more than two dozen people who gathered on Okîsikow (Angel) Way Thursday evening to honour the lives of Indigenous men and boys.

For Mitchell, she still carries the pain after her son Richard Unger ,41, was found dead at a recycling plant in Edmonton in July 2020. 

"I still cry. I still miss him," Mitchell said through tears. 

Indigenous men were four times more likely to die by homicide than an Indigenous woman and seven times more likely to die by homicide than non-Indigenous people in Canada, according to 2020 data from Statistics Canada. 

Statistics Canada's data also showed men accounted for more than 80 per cent of the 201 Indigenous people killed that year — meaning the number of Indigenous men who died by homicide reached its highest level since 2014.

Blue Jean Jacket Day was started in Edmonton in 2023 to raise awareness about this violence.

"This is the day to acknowledge them, to honour them, and all the families that ache and miss their males," said advocate and organizer Stephanie Harpe.

Harpe, a member of Fort McKay First Nation, said events like this are important to bring more attention to the issue of systemic violence faced by Indigenous men and boys.

"We just want to be helping as matriarchs to the community. That's what we want to do. We just want to help them, give them safe space and let them know that their voice matters too, and what is happening to them matters." 

Harpe said the jean jacket is a cherished symbol and she often remembers family figures like her grandparents, uncles or cousins in a jean jacket. 

"We wanted to give them a colour. We wanted to give them representation … Wanted let them know that they're loved and honoured."  

The event was hosted by the Stolen Sisters and Brothers Action Movement.

Founder April Eve Weiberg said there was deep meaning in having the event be held on Okîsikow (Angel) Way.

"It's a street named in Edmonton to honour all women and their families that have been victims of violence. So it's a very, very sacred location," Weiberg said. 

June 6 was chosen by organizers as it is a month after National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The Red Dress has been a prominent symbol of that movement. 

Weiberg said work is already underway to plan a similar Blue Jean Jacket Day event in Calgary.

"We're going to see many more communities taking part. Red Dress day started somewhere, right? So we're very hopeful, and we just feel really blessed to be here."