May 5 is Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirited Individuals (MMIWG2S). On this day, we remember and honour the lives of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited individuals whose lives have been taken as a result of the ongoing MMIWG2S crisis in Canada. 

What is Red Dress is a day to raise awareness and education about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

Red dress day started as REDress Project established by Indigenous artist Jamie Black to focus on the issuing of missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada and United States in 2010. 

Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) refers to the human right crisis of the high and disproportionate rates of violence and number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. 

In May 2019, a 1,200 page report from Canada was released on the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The report includes over 230 recommendations and concluded that the murder and disappearance of Indigenous women and girls is an ongoing genocide. 

On May 12, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from across Canada support reconciliation and help end violence against all women and children.

The Moose Hide Campaign raises awareness of the high levels of violence women and children experience, particularly among those who are Indigenous. The campaign calls on men, boys and all Canadians to take a stand against such violence.

Moose Hide Campaign Day is a day for connecting, learning and sharing, where you can hear from inspiring speakers, share experiences and join workshops. Supporters are encouraged to wear and share the moose hide pins on the day (and every day!).

The inspiration for the campaign came to co-founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven in 2011 during a moose hunt on their traditional Carrier territory along the Highway of Tears in Northern B.C. – where so many women have gone missing or been murdered. Over the years, this idea has grown into a national campaign to engage all Canadians, with over 2,500 participating communities and organizations across the country, including First Nations, high schools, Friendship Centres, Post-Secondary institutions, government departments, private and non-profit sector organizations, and law enforcement agencies.

Did you know? 

• According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, nearly half of all women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. 

  • Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women in Canada 

• There were 1,181 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women in Canada between 1980 and 2012, according to the RCMP. However, according to grassroots organizations and the Minister of the Status of Women the number is much higher, closer to 4,000.

• Since the first moose hide pins were shared, over 2 million have been distributed nationally.  

Click here for more information about Moose Hide Day.

June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. Strathcona County is proud to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of Indigenous people. Each year, the County hosts a variety of activities in acknowledgement of this date.

Strathcona County flags were lowered on June 25, 2021 to honour the 751 people, mostly children, who were found in unmarked graves near a former residential school site in Saskatchewan. The flags remained at half-mast for 751 hours.

We mourn with all families and survivors of Canada’s residential school system. Sadly, this is just the beginning of the search for unmarked graves in Alberta and across Canada.

Strathcona County is located on Treaty Six First Nations territory and the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions Two and Four. We offer our condolences and support and are committed to implementing recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.

Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

New initiatives following the July 6, 2021 Council meeting include:

• funding a dedicated, full-time Indigenous relations position.  
• working with Indigenous leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Elders to develop an Indigenous Education and Training program for all Strathcona County elected officials and staff. 
• developing a report, in consultation with Indigenous leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Elders, on the installation of a permanent memorial in Strathcona County to honour those impacted by Canada’s residential schools. 
• reviewing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action to identify all actions related to municipalities and develop an implementation plan for Strathcona County. The report was presented Council in September 2021.
• Read the full release here.

Strathcona County observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday and Orange Shirt Day on September 30.