Each year on May 5, Artemis Huron joins community partners in recognizing Red Dress Day, a national day of awareness and remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).
Red Dress Day was first created in 2010 by Métis artist Jaime Black. The installation of empty red dresses in public spaces has since become a powerful visual symbol across Canada. Each dress represents a life taken too soon, Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who are missing or have been murdered. The empty dresses are intentionally striking and remind us of both the absence of people who are missed by their loved ones and the urgent need for change.
Indigenous women and girls continue to experience disproportionately high rates of violence in Canada. National data consistently shows that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women are significantly more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women. These realities are not isolated. They are deeply connected to the ongoing impacts of colonialism, systemic racism, and gender-based violence.
Get involved
We invite local businesses and community members across Huron County to take part by displaying red dresses in storefronts, windows, and public spaces on May 5 annually. When seen together across the community, these dresses become a visible reminder of lives lost and a shared call for justice and change.
Participating businesses can request a printed poster by emailing Genelle at genelle@artemishuron.ca, or download the poster to hang on a window beside the dress and a tag to pin directly to the dress through the links below.
We also encourage participants to share their displays. Photos of red dress installations can be emailed to Genelle at genelle@artemishuron.ca or shared on social media by tagging us @artemishuron, helping to spread awareness and show community-wide support for May 5.
Artemis Huron stands in solidarity with Indigenous communities in honouring those who are missing and those who have been taken, and in the ongoing work toward justice, healing, and systemic change.
If this day is bringing up difficult thoughts or feelings for you, support is available. You can reach our support line at 1 (800) 265-5506 to talk with someone who can help. You are not alone.