A number of local events are being held on the occasion of Red Shirt Day

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A number of local events are being held on Sunday to honor and recognize Red Shirt Day.

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Red Shirt Day, also known as National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit Awareness Day (MMIWG2S+), is celebrated annually on May 5 to honor and raise awareness of the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis women. , girls, two spirits, and gender-diverse people experiencing gender-based violence in Canada.

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“First and foremost, on this important day of reflection and remembrance, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of MMIWG2S+ and their loved ones,” said Jerry Daniels, CEO of Southern Chiefs, in a press release. “This day also serves as motivation as we raise our voices and advocate for change and justice for the victims and their families. It is imperative that we work to end this national emergency, the result of gender-based violence intersecting with anti-indigenous racism.”

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A year ago, the House of Commons voted unanimously in favor of declaring MMIWG2S+ a national emergency and agreed to fund a Red Shirt Alert system to alert the public when an Indigenous woman, girl, intersex or bisexual person is possessed. a person disappears without a trace. This initiative is currently under review by the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

“I appreciate that building a new government initiative will take time, but I urge members of the Standing Committee, the federal government and politicians of all parties to prioritize the implementation of this important resource,” added Sagking Anisinabe First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine. . “Lives are at stake, and our women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives are at risk every day.”

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The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced Friday a partnership on the Red Dress Alert System, which alerts the public when an Indigenous woman or girl goes missing. The pilot project is expected to help inform the national warning system.

Ebb and Flow First Nation hosted the MMIWG2S+ healing and healing walk on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Red River Polytechnic School held a special “Red Dress” dance at its annual concert to honor the academic achievements of local alumni and local students.

On Sunday, which is officially Red Dress Day, organizers of the University of Winnipeg's annual prom will host a special Red Dress Dance. Grand entry is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Duckworth Center.

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Events are happening in many places on Sunday, including a number in Winnipeg. At noon, The Forks will feature keynote speakers, drummers and dancers, and community members will share the importance of the day in honoring those taken too soon and those still searching for their loved ones.

Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine and Minister of Housing, Addiction and Homelessness Bernadette Smith make an announcement about the MMIWG2S Endowment Fund at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Later on Sunday, the fourth annual MMIWG2S+ Walk for Justice will begin at 6 p.m., with participants walking from Oodena Circle to the steps of the Manitoba Legislature.

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Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation will hold a walk on Monday starting at the corner of Highway 50 and Townsite Bay. The walk is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m

“On Red Shirt Day and every day, I call on all levels of government to continue working to implement the 231 calls for justice that emerged from the testimonies and truths of thousands of family members and survivors at the National Inquiry. Missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,” Daniels said. “Let's all come together and continue to build a safer society for our women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.”

A complete list of Red Shirt Day events across southern Manitoba can be found here On the SCO website.