Red Dress Day May 5th, reminds us that it represents the many Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Persons who have been viciously murdered.

1. RED DRESS DAY
RED DRESS DAY
You see a beautiful red dress hanging in the trees. The day on the calendar
May 5th, reminds us that it represents the many Indigenous Women, Girls and
Two-Spirit Persons who have been viciously murdered. Some of these
precious souls have been found, but most are still missing. What that red
dress stands for is really not beautiful at all!

2. Red Dress Day is a somber gathering and speaks loudly. Families across the
nation speak out on this day, “We are visible and we are here. We stand with
our message, not to be a part of a problem, but a part of the solution”.
We can never let the memories of missing women silently slip away. Much
work needs to be done every day to change attitudes, change environments,
change the outcome and future generations for Indigenous Women. ALL
people standing together, using their voices is paramount in the work needed
to make change against the injustice of crimes against Indigenous Women.
There are 231 Calls for Justice. They are legal imperatives and not optional.
They represent important ways to end the genocide and to transform systemic
and societal values that have worked to maintain colonial violence.
In Call #1: The Calls are to ensure that equitable access to basic rights such
as employment, housing, education, safety, and health care is recognized as
a fundamental means of protecting Indigenous and human rights, resourced
and supported as rights-based programs founded on substantive equality. All
programs must be no-barrier and must apply regardless of Status or location.
In Call #4: All governments must support and resource economic and social
progress and development on an equitable basis, as these measures are
required to uphold the human dignity, life, liberty, and security of Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIApeople.All governments must support and
resource community-based supports and solutions designed to improve social
and economic security, led by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA
people. This support must come with long-term, sustainable funding designed
to meet the needs and objectives as defined by Indigenous Peoples and
communities.

3. Call #15: Denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIApeople.
Calls for All Canadians:
As this report has shown, and within every encounter, each person has a role
to play in order to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls, and
2SLGBTQQIA people. Beyond those Calls aimed at governments or at
specific industries or service providers, we encourage every Canadian to
consider how they can give life to these Calls for Justice. We call on all
Canadians to:
Women in Indigenous culture once had power and ultimate respect. Violent
treatment of women completely goes against the value that Indigenous
Peoples traditionally placed on them. They were the life-givers and held
leadership roles in various areas such as economics, spirituality, and politics
within their communities. Through decolonization and the arrival of European
ideology, the horrific mistreatment began. There is still very little justice for
centuries of murders and violence against Indigenous Women, Girls and
Two-Spirit Peoples. They are 12 times more likely to be murdered and go
missing than other women in Canada. This needs to change…today!
The federal government in 2019 finally declared violence against Indigenous
Women and Girls “a national tragedy of epic proportion.”
Industrial and Business Canada, when partnering with It’s Time For Change
can make the most immediate and positive difference. When we begin to
communicate and collaborate with Indigenous Peoples it will most definitely
bring a strong economy to individuals and communities. When the economy is

4. strong, it is statistically proven wellness is up, confidence flows from one
generation to the next and sparks ongoing prosperity.
To end violence toward Indigenous Women and Girls racist and sexist
attitudes must be reversed. Addressing structural factors such as
underfunding of basic human needs including housing, clean water, food
security, education and employment is the first step. Solid investigations into
past and present cases of missing and murdered Indigenous Women and
Girls must occur and the punishment MUST fit the crime. A huge barrier to
making these changes is factored by the dominant male presence within the
different agencies responsible for making decisions. Indigenous Women from
all walks of life should be included, respected and heard. Cooperation and
co-existence will lead to survival.
Indigenous women today are leading the way toward healing the wounds of
colonization, as they confront the issues of residential schools, MMIWG2S,
centuries of racism, abuse, violence, drug and alcohol addictions. They
cannot continue to hang red dresses in the trees, hoping the hearts of
Canadians feels their pain and address their needs. As a society, the time to
come together in Truth and Reconciliation and Respect is now. No longer can
Talk be the way forward. Action is required by all.
As we honour Red Dress Day and all that it represents, It’s Time For Change
stands alongside Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples with
determination to bring about positive well-being, economic, lifelong changes
for their future.