​BRAMPTON, ON – The City of Brampton is recognizing Red Dress Day in honour of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) who are no longer with us and the loss experienced by their families and communities. 

To raise awareness about racial and gender-based violence faced by MMIWG2S, Métis artist Jaime Black created The REDress Project​ and hung red dresses in public places. The project serves as a visual reminder of the epidemic of violence against MMIWG2S and how ongoing and meaningful action is required to effect change.

In honour of Red Dress Day, starting May 2, 2024, the City of Brampton has partnered with The Indigenous Network and Peel Regional Police to create an art installation. Red Dress will be hung at Ken Whillans Square, as well as at Brampton Fire and Transit locations throughout the city. The red dresses will remain in place until the end of May and will be accompanied by educational signage for visitors to learn more.

Violence towards MMIWG2S in Canada has been linked to historic factors like racism, sexism and the devastation caused by the residential school system. This contributes to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and girls being six times more likely to experience violence than those who are non-Indigenous.

In 2023, the City of Brampton declared gender-based and intimate partner violence an epidemic and committed to taking meaningful action to address these forms of ongoing violence. This includes responding to the Calls for Justice outlined in the final report released by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls accepting the recommendations of other national reports as a framework to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.

Learn more about Red Dress Day at brampton.ca/MMIWG2S. 

About the City of Brampton’s Equity Office

The City of Brampton remains committed to learning and understanding and continues to build meaningful relationships with local Indigenous communities and accepts responsibility to establish reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. In 2021 the City of Brampton launched its Equity Office that now includes a Senior Advisor of Indigenous Relations to guide and strengthen processes along the reconciliation journey to be inclusive and respectful of Indigenous culture.

To learn more about Brampton’s Equity Office, click here​.

Quotes

"In recognizing Red Dress Day, the City of Brampton stands in solidarity with the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people, honouring their memory and acknowledging the profound loss felt by their families and communities. Through initiatives like The REDress Project, we shed light on the systemic issues of racism, sexism and the legacy of residential schools contributing to this ongoing violence." 
Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

"As a community, we need to recognize and bring awareness to the historical injustices faced by Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. With collective action and unwavering commitment, we can rewrite this narrative of suffering into one of empowerment and justice. Let’s come together and recognize the work that still needs to be done, illuminate the path forward and stand in solidarity to end the epidemic of violence against MMIWG2S in Canada." 
Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton 

“Red Dress Day stands as a testament to the lives lost and the voices silenced in the shadows of racial and gender-based violence. Each scarlet garment hanging in our public spaces serves as a beacon of awareness, signaling us to confront the harsh realities faced by MMIWG2S communities. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to reflect, learn and to act." 
Navjit Kaur Brar, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6; Vice-Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

"Indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by violence and it’s incumbent on all of us to do more to ensure their safety and well-being. We must raise our voices to bring awareness and action to honour and give a voice to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals. We stand alongside and continue to work with Indigenous communities across the country that seek and deserve justice to create a safer and more inclusive society." 
Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police​

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