Lincoln, ON – (May 5, 2025) – The Town of Lincoln recognizes May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+), also known as Red Dress Day. This day honours the lives lost to gender- and race-based violence and draws attention to the ongoing national crisis affecting Indigenous communities across Canada.
To mark this occasion, a Red Dress installation will be on display at the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre from May 3 to May 11, 2025, and a Canadian Library micro gallery has been installed at Town Hall.
Community members are invited to visit these installations to reflect and engage with this national movement for justice, remembrance, and awareness.
Background
Red Dress Day began in 2010 as The REDress Project, an art-based initiative by Métis artist Jaime Black. First exhibited at the University of Winnipeg, the project uses empty red dresses as powerful symbols of grief, absence, and injustice. Each dress represents an Indigenous woman, girl, or Two-Spirit person who is missing or has been murdered.
Since its inception, Red Dress Day has grown into a national movement that brings visibility to the widespread and systemic nature of this violence.
As part of the Town’s continued commitment to reconciliation and education, The Canadian Library Project has also been installed at Town Hall. This grassroots art initiative raises awareness of MMIWG2S+ through community-created installations.
The Town’s micro gallery was created through three public workshops held at the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre and local library branches. Participants wrapped books in Indigenous fabrics, with each book representing a life lost. Some books are marked with names, while others remain blank, symbolizing those whose stories have not yet been told.
According to national reports:
According to the Assembly of First Nations from 2019: Indigenous women are 3.5 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to experience violence.
Between 2001 and 2014, the average homicide rate for Indigenous women was four times higher than for non-Indigenous women.
The RCMP reported over 1,000 Indigenous female homicide victims between 1980 and 2012, with another 164 cases of missing Indigenous women dating back to 1952. A number of reports indicate these numbers are significantly higher.
In 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its Final Report, which included more than 230 Calls for Justice.
The Town of Lincoln is committed to honouring truth, supporting calls for justice, and creating spaces for dialogue, education, and healing.
Quotes
Red Dress Day reminds us of the deep injustices faced by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people, and the importance of remembering every life lost. As a community, it’s vital that we take time to reflect, learn, and support one another. I’m proud that Lincoln continues to create spaces for awareness and healing, as we all have a role to play in advancing reconciliation.” ~ Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton
“Our organization is committed to fostering an inclusive and compassionate community. Supporting Red Dress Day and installations like The Canadian Library is part of our broader effort to recognize truth, support justice, and take meaningful action. These initiatives are not only symbolic, but they are a reminder of our responsibility as a municipality to lead with empathy and purpose.” ~ Town of Lincoln CAO, Michael Kirkopoulos
“Red Dress Day calls us to confront a painful truth in our shared history and present. By creating space for reflection and learning through these installations, we honour those that have been lost and reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation, justice, and allyship with Indigenous communities.” ~ Olivia Rozema, Senior Curator Operations and Events at the Lincoln Museum
Miigwech / Nia:wen / Thank you.
Resources
If you are affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people and need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This line is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada – MMIWG & Violence Prevention
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls