Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S), is observed annually on May 5. On this day, we commemorate and honour the memories and legacies of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have gone missing or been murdered across Canada. The red dress symbolizes pain and loss, and represents the ongoing commitment to advocate for justice for Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people affected by this ongoing crisis.
Red Dress Day draws its name and symbolism from the REDress Project, an art installation by Métis artist Jaime Black. This installation features empty red dresses hung in public spaces to represent the more than 1,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada. These dresses serve as a powerful visual reminder of the lives stolen, grieving families, and the absence felt in communities, transforming the day into a poignant call to action.
This day also aligns closely with the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and its Calls to Action by raising awareness about the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people—an issue rooted in the legacy of colonialism and systemic inequality identified by the TRC. The TRC Calls to Action emphasize the need for justice, education, and reconciliation. In nursing education, these actions align with calls for cultural safety training, trauma-and-violence-informed care, and teaching on the historical and structural factors that influence Indigenous health outcomes. Integrating the meaning of Red Dress Day into nursing curricula helps future nurses cultivate empathy, challenge structural racism, and provide equitable, respectful care—advancing reconciliation through compassionate health care practice.
CASN continues to collaborate with Indigenous organizations and partners through initiatives such as Truth and Reconciliation–focused workshops and community-engaged policy development to support culturally safe and equitable access to nursing education for Indigenous students. The CASN National Office and CASN Board of Directors remain committed to building relationships grounded in trust and reciprocity, and to meaningfully decolonizing educational resources and processes to address colonial foundations of nursing education.
“On Red Dress Day, we honour the Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who are missing or have been murdered, and we stand with the families and communities who continue to grieve their loss. The red dress reminds us of the urgent need to confront the systemic inequities that endanger Indigenous Peoples, and CASN remains committed to advancing the TRC’s Calls to Action by working with Indigenous partners to create culturally safe learning environments and decolonize nursing education. Today, we reaffirm our responsibility to support justice, healing, and meaningful reconciliation,” said Jean Daniel Jacob, CASN Executive Director
CASN encourages all health care professionals and institutions to engage in meaningful implementation of Calls to Action #18 through #24 in partnership with local Indigenous communities.
Related Resources (CASN)
- The Nurse’s Role in Supporting Reproductive Justice with Indigenous Peoples (webinar recording)
- Cultural Humility and Cultural Safety Standards for Nursing Education in Canada (standards document)
- Addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action in Nursing Education: Workshop Series (workshop recordings)
- Framework of Strategies for Nursing Education to Respond to the Calls to Action of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (framework document)
Related Events and Resources (external links)
- Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- MMIWG2S Calls for Justice
- Participate in Ending Gender-based violence – Moosehide Campaign Métis artist Jaime Black
- Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous-centred): 1-855-242-3310
- Crisis Services Canada: 9-8-8
- National Family and Survivors Circle: 1-844-413-6649
