CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Indigenous installations raise awareness in honour of Red Dress Day

The term Red Dress Day was coined by Métis artist Jaime Black as "an aesthetic response to this critical national issue." To raise awareness and pay tribute on this day, people are encouraged to wear red.

While Red Dress Day is held annually on May 5, the installations at Conestoga were put up during the first week of classes to coincide with the return of students for the spring term. The red dresses will remain on campuses up until June to maximize exposure.

"The red dresses are good conversation starters," said Raven Morand, Indigenous Student Services Coordinator. "Indigenous peoples can feel recognized and remembered and see themselves on campus, but the broader community is also being reminded and learning about it."

"Many think of Indigenous people as people of the past and not the present," added Morand. "But the issues created by colonialism still exist today - maybe in different formats, but they're still around. We need to remember that this is an ongoing issue."

According to the Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health, in Canada, more than six in ten Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime. "We experience violence at such a high level. Hopefully, with visibility, we can bring justice to all those missing and murdered," said Morand.

Roughly 20 dresses were distributed across campuses by CSI and Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, along with cards containing information on a missing or murdered Indigenous woman. The card contains the person's name, details about their circumstances and links to resources for students to learn more. Cards share stories of affected women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people of all ages from across the country.

Morand is also inviting other departments and the broader community to create their own installations by hanging up red dresses along with information cards. Templates can be requested by emailing bedahbingamik@conestogac.on.ca, but people are also encouraged to put their own cards together and raise awareness of other victims' stories.

Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, Indigenous Services at Conestoga, supports the success of Indigenous students through ongoing services that assist in successful transitions to college life and connections to cultural traditions. Be-Dah-Bin Gamik also engages the broader college community through the development of resources, activities and events that build broader understandings of Indigenous Peoples and cultures while promoting the reconciliation process.

As the college's official student association, CSI represents the interests of students across all Conestoga campuses. Support services focus on leadership and career development, academics, and health and wellness.