National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People
Medicine Hat College (MHC), in partnership with several community organizations, is hosting its second annual event in honour of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Taking place on campus from 2-4 p.m., the event will be held outside MHC and feature an Indigenous prayer, a 1km awareness walk, a guest speaker, and an honour song.
What began as Red Dress Day in 2010, the day is intended to bring awareness to the thousands of women, girls, two-spirit people, and men who have gone missing or been murdered. Attendees are encouraged to wear red to help raise awareness for the important cause.
“We need allies to help be a voice for Indigenous people as we can’t do this alone. Becoming involved helps show to the families that have been impacted that they are not alone, and their loved ones aren’t forgotten,” says Chasity Cairns, manager of Indigenous engagement and student support at MHC.
She adds that raising awareness with education helps to create change.
“When we have big events like these it brings our community together in the spirit of the cause, which can make a tragic event a place for connection and healing,” adds Cairns. “This year, we also wanted to focus on how impacted families can find support in Medicine Hat so we will be having booths at the event for individuals that need support or want to know more.”
Parking will be free for the duration of the event. Those in attendance are welcome to bring their own lawn chair and a hand drum to use during the walk.