Red Dress Day
Today is Red Dress Day, the national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people. Each year on May 5, we wear red to honour our mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts, siblings and diversely gendered relatives and acknowledge the families and communities that have been impacted by the crisis of MMIWG2S.
At UVic we work to create safe spaces through valuing Indigenous women and 2SQ people in everyday encounters, as well as by supporting policies and the connection to culture as it has shown profound impacts on strengthening our communities as a concrete action to end the disproportionate levels of violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
Red Dress Day started as a campaign called The REDress Project, launched in 2014 by Métis artist Jaime Black.
How to raise awareness on Red Dress Day
- Read Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and work to strengthen the demand for implementation of the Calls for Justice
- Read Keetsahnak: Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Sisters , an anthology to honour murdered and missing loved ones which includes voices from the UVic and island community
- Wear red or hang a red dress to show your support for the families and communities of MMIWG2S and Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people
- Attend the first “Our Womxn Are Sacred” walk on May 5. Surrounded by Cedars - Child and Family Services, in partnership with Songhees First Nation, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, South Island Indigenous Authority, Indigenous Perspectives Society, Hulitan Family & Community Services Society, and Island Métis Family & Community Services Society will host
- Donate to initiatives that support Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people in our community:
Resources and supports
Indigenous Resources
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll Free Line: 1-800-588-8717
Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors. Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations Health Authority Mental Health Benefits
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from a qualified mental health provider, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers.
Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women.
UVic Resources
SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621
Counselling for Indigenous Students
Indigenous counsellors provide individual and group counselling that treat the heart, body, mind and spirit for Indigenous students. Indigenous counselling sessions are flexible in length, you are seen on the spot for emergency appointments and in general, you are able to meet with the Indigenous Counsellor without having to wait too long.
UVic Counselling Services
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling the number above. Indigenous counsellors are available.
250-721-8563
Here2Talk
Connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
Other Resources
Vancouver Island Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term non-judgemental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources.
1-888-494-3888