Singing for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls at Killarney Lake
Recognized every year on May 5, Red Dress Day is a day to grieve and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S+).
Under One Sky Friendship Centre organized memorial walk for Red Dress Day
CBC News ·
Folks gathered at Killarney Lake near Fredericton on May 5 for a Red Dress Day memorial walk. (Ann Paul/CBC)
There can be many different feelings about and perspectives on Red Dress Day, says Ann Paul.
Recognized every year on May 5, Red Dress Day is a day to grieve and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit+ people (MMIWG2S+).
The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls considers violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people to be genocide.
Red Dress Day started in 2010, when Métis artist Jamie Black hung hundreds of red dresses to honour MMIWG2S+.
WATCH | Whether it's joy or sadness, all Red Dress Day feelings are valid, says organizer:
Ann’s Eye: Honouring Red Dress Day at Killarney Lake
2 days ago
Duration 1:30
The Under One Sky Friendship Centre in Fredericton organized a memorial walk at Killarney Lake for Red Dress Day, a national day of remembrance and awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
Many communities mark the day with marches, healing circles, sacred fires and prayer. Most dress in red — a sacred colour, Ann says — and some paint red handprints over their mouths, a symbol of those lost lives and unheard voices.
To others, including Ann, the symbol is a reminder of grief and trauma, and can be discomforting to see.
"Once we take that hand off their mouths, we're giving their voices back," she said. "But I understand that everyone has different perspectives."
Red Dress Day itself should also go beyond one-time, performative actions, Ann said, and promote year-long education and awareness.
Ann joined members of Under One Sky Friendship Centre for a Red Dress Day memorial walk around Killarney Lake. Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see more.
The memorial walk attendees sang and drummed for MMIWG2S+, spending about an hour walking around the entire lake. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Between 2009 and 2021, the homicide rate among Indigenous women and girls was six times higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts, according to Statistics Canada. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Aside from honouring MMIWG2S+, Red Dress Day is also a national call to end gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous people in Canada. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Wolastoqey language teacher Kelsey Nash-Solomon joined the Killarney Lake memorial walk. (Ann Paul/CBC)
'It was nice, it wasn’t sad,' Ann Paul said of the memorial walk. 'There were a couple times it got sad, that’s just a given. But the sun was shining and everybody was happy. It’s OK to feel good. Our women don’t want us to be sad, the ones who are on the other side.' (Ann Paul/CBC)
The event attendees made tobacco offerings to the water of Killarney Lake. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Under One Sky is a non-profit organization that works towards empowering the Indigenous community. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Ann Paul chooses not to paint a red handprint over her face, personally viewing it as giving power to those who perpetrate violence against MMIWG2S+. She says she respects, though, that the symbol has different meanings for other people. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Ann says she was struck by this image of a red scarf among the yellow dandelions. 'It just reminded me of the beauty of everything that still grows. All those flowers are like the spirits of our ancestors, of the women that have passed — their spirits are still there.' (Ann Paul/CBC)
A picture speaks a thousand words, Ann said. To her, this photo of the red in the background of the trees symbolizes the MMIWG2S+. 'We’re looking for you,' she said. 'We know you’re there, we’re still looking for you.' (Ann Paul/CBC)
Ann's Eye
Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work.
