'They were still strong Indigenous women': Day to honour MMIWG2S includes ceremony, vigil
CBC
Events in Winnipeg to honour the spirits of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people included an opening ceremony with the lighting of a sacred fire and wrapped with vigils and ceremonies at The Forks and the legislature.
Oct. 4 marks Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited People's Honouring and Awareness Day in Manitoba.
It's a day of remembrance for the hundreds of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people missing or murdered throughout Canada.
About 30 people attended the morning ceremony, including some city councillors and police officers who offered tobacco during the ceremony.
Several red dresses have been hung around the city call courtyard at 510 Main St., where the ceremony took place. The dresses will hang for 30 days.
Red dresses have been used to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and call attention to the problem for years. This movement was started by artist Jaime Black, who created The REDress Project in Winnipeg in 2010.
Carolyn Moar, a knowledge keeper from Sagkeeng First Nation, says the red dress is a reminder that these women and girls were loved and are missed by their communities.