City of Peterborough Honours Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women With Ceremony On Red Dress Day
/The City of Peterborough hosted a ceremony to mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S) at City Hall on Tuesday morning.
Singing and drumming were performed as the red flag was raised at City Hall to mark Red Dress Day. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Commonly known as Red Dress Day, May 5 is held annually and acknowledges missing or murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people, recognizing the disproportionately high rates of violence the Indigenous community faces.
The ceremony had speeches, drumming and a smudging ceremony.
“This day is an important opportunity for our community to come together in remembrance, reflection and solidarity,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People, and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of violence and injustice faced by Indigenous communities. I encourage residents to join us at City Hall for this meaningful ceremony as we listen, learn and stand together in support of truth, healing and reconciliation.”
Red dresses are hung in the windows of City Hall until Friday.
Kelli Marshall of Hiawatha First Nation performs a jingle dress dance (also known as the healing dance) during the Red Dress Day ceremony at Peterborough City Hall. The dance is meant to cure sickness and bestow positive energy to those around the dancer. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“The red dresses displayed in the windows of City Hall are a powerful symbol of the Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirited people who are missing or who have been taken too soon,” said Shelley Knott, City of Peterborough Indigenous Advisor. “They also represent the families and loved ones who continue to carry grief while searching for truth and justice. We invite the community to reflect on their meaning and join us in showing support, solidarity and a shared commitment to ending violence.”
The Urban Indigenous Working Group hosted additional activities in Confederation Square after the ceremony.
@ptbo_canada The City of Peterborough hosted a ceremony is to mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People on Red Dress Day. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #indigenous ♬ original sound PTBOCanada
