National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People

May 5, 2026

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People (MMIWG2S+) honours survivors and those lost to the MMIWG2S+ crisis in Canada. We are thinking of any staff, students, and families who've lost family members or loved ones to this crisis. 

Today is also known as Red Dress Day, inspired by artist Jamie Black's REDress Project. The project is installed in public spaces throughout Canada and the United States as a visual reminder of the staggering number of women who have been lost. You may see red dresses displayed in and around some of our schools this week including Imagine High and Chilliwack Secondary School. 

Our teacher-librarians are sharing a few books from school collections for those who want to learn more. These titles are recommended for Grades 8-12. 

If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie and Nahanni Shingoose

A graphic novel for teens derived from excerpts of a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by fourteen-year-old Brianna Jonnie – a letter that went viral and in which Jonnie calls out the authorities for neglecting to immediately investigate and involve the public in the search for missing Indigenous people, and urges them to “not treat me as the Indigenous person I am proud to be” if she were to be reported missing.

Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDiarmid

For decades, women – overwhelmingly from Indigenous backgrounds – have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of a highway in northwestern B.C. The highway is called the Highway of Tears by locals, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.

REDress: Art, Action and the Power of Presence Edited by Jaime Black-Morsette

A powerful anthology uniting the voices of Indigenous women, Elders, grassroots community activists, artists, academics, and family members affected by the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people from across Turtle Island. In 2010, Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette created the REDress Project -- an art installation consisting of placing red dresses in public spaces as a call for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Symbolizing both absence and presence, the red dresses ignite a reclamation of voice and place for MMIWG2S.

Crisis Support

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 (Available 24/7, Indigenous-centered)

National Crisis Line for MMIWG2S: 1-844-413-6649 (Emotional assistance)

Crisis Services Canada: 9-8-8 (Support for anyone in distress)

Kuu-us Crisis Line Society: 1-800-588-8717