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Red Dress Day marked in Quesnel

A ceremony for the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG+ was held at North Fraser Drive

Hundreds of people gathered at the Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre (QTS) on Thursday, May 5, to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBT+ people.

Dozens of red dresses hung on trees alongside the Fraser River for Red Dress Day.

The society’s alcohol and drug counselor, Lynn Petersen recalled collecting many red dresses from thrift stores on the Coast with her sister several years ago for Brenda Bonin.

Petersen said Bonin retired from Correlieu Secondary shortly after the REDress Project was displayed in Ceal Tingley Park and brought all the dresses back to her.

They were put up a day before Red Dress Day.

“When I drove back, and I saw all these dresses along the road I just welled up with tears and I’m doing it now again,” Petersen said. “It’s emotional.”

Inside the QTS, red dresses hung from hangers and a screen displayed the names of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in northern B.C, including the notorious “Highway of Tears” between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Read More: Indigenous peoples call for justice as accused murderer makes court appearance in Quesnel

“It was just breathtaking the number of homicides,” said QTS employment coordinator Kathy Canuel. “Domestic violence is a big cause, so we’re just trying to make everybody aware.”

An opening prayer was provided by Sheila Gilpin, who sang the Women’s Warrior Song. Smudging was provided throughout the day by Greg Stirling.

Perry Alexander of Tl’etinqox, west of Williams Lake, sang the Men’s Warrior Song before hoop dancing. Jingle dress dancers Joely Paul, Nadia Goodwin and Adrianna Alec also danced for the crowd.

A lunch of bannock and stew was later served by members of the Correlieu Secondary Indigenous Leadership Club, who had made red dress pins, face masks and more.

QTS executive director Tony Goulet was pleased with the turnout and called it powerful to come together and share a meal and who they are.

“We’re back in person, and it’s good to see people,” Goulet said.

“It’s really important to make awareness for the missing women and people who have gone, and today still have files open. It’s important to make awareness about that and for people to learn and reflect and maybe they might know something that they can share.”

The QTS will be marking the Moose Hide Campaign on Thursday, May 12, with an awareness walk to support young men with a pledge against violence of women and children.

Read More: 2 years after MMIWG report, Ottawa releases preliminary national plan

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com



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