Performances, healing dances abound as Toronto commemorates Red Dress Day

Mayor Olivia Chow attended two ceremonies filled with dancing, drums, sacred fires and Indigenous artwork on Monday to honour Red Dress Day.

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People is marked nationwide. 

Speaking at Toronto's Native Canadian Centre in the Annex area, Chow dedicated her remarks to the memory of women and girls that have been lost.

She said she's thinking about the city's role in tackling violence against Indigenous women.

"We need to work harder and imagine a life that is free of violence [and is] instead full of love. Let us imagine a city that has that," she said.

Chow said that Toronto should offer shelter to Indigenous people and provide more affordable housing, along with making it easier for newcomers to find and connect with local Indigenous communities and elders.

"We need to make sure there's enough shelter, housing… [that] there is education and employment opportunities," she said. 

Toronto's events are among dozens happening across Canada.

Featuring powerful dances, songs and spirit plate offerings, many Indigenous people said the events are a chance to mourn lost loved ones and keep their memory alive.

Lori Boros, who is Cree, performed a song at the Native Canadian Centre. Her mother was a residential school survivor, she said, and one of her aunts went missing and hasn't been found.

Boros told CBC Toronto her performance is a healing process — one that helps her stay connected to her culture. 

"When the song comes to you, creator from above will bring you those words and the song, and then it just comes out of your heart and just flows," she said. "You're joining in spirit with one another, with the words, as it's flowing through the music." 

Joseph Harper, who is Ojibway and Cree, performed a cultural dance during a Sunrise Ceremony in Love Park.

Harper said he went to the event to remember and connect with his family, and that he danced for them. 

"I'm thinking about my grandmother mainly today, but I usually think about my family. I think about family that came before me. That's why we dance, right?" he said. "That's why we have the feathers, the songs, it's just everything is connected. That's kind of how I feel when I come out, I want to be more connected."