Sisters in Spirit - Show Your Support
Image Description: Banner that with text “Sisters in Spirit. Hang red clothing outside your house October 1st to 8th. More information: dawsonwomensshelter.com #MMIW2SG” Background has three photos in horizontal stripes: blue sky with red clouds, dark blue water with ripples, river stones that have been digitally edited red.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Image Description: Picture of a red dress hanging outside a home with red siding and a white door.
Show your support for families that have lost Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks and show your commitment to creating a world without violence by hanging red clothing outside your house October 1st to 8th.
We want families to feel like their loved ones are not forgotten and that the entire community of Dawson is committed to preventing any more daughters, sisters, cousins, aunties, and family members being stolen from our community.
Why Red Clothing?
In 2011 Métis artist Jaime Black created the REDress Project “to draw attention to the gendered and racialized nature of violent crimes against Aboriginal women and to evoke a presence through the marking of absence.”
Black chose the colour red because she was taught that red is a sacred colour and the only colour that spirits can see: "So red is really a calling back of the spirits of these women and allowing them a chance to be among us and have their voices heard through their family members and community.”
Encouraging communities to display red clothing to remember and celebrate Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks has been part of Black’s work as an artist: "I'm hoping that community groups will take on and start doing public installations and using that as a tool to have the public have more of an understanding of missing and murdered women."
We chose to use not just dressed but all sorts of red clothing because although the violence that Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks experience is gendered, dresses are not just for women and hockey jerseys aren’t just for men.
There are millions of ways there are to express gender through clothing.
Image Description: Close up picture Faye Chamberlain’s installation Cutting Through the Red Tape. A red dress made of duct tape with fringe that has words (harmony, wisdom, sincerity, respect, empathy, courage, balance) written on it, also visible is a medicine bag and a Métis sash.
Faye Chamberlain talks about the importance of the colour red in her installation Cutting Through the Red Tape:
“Red is the color life and blood and in more recent times love. Women have always resisted colonization and experienced discrimination since time immemorial. In many Frist Nations cultures, women are equal to men and pass on the clans, the language and culture. They sew beautiful regalia with motifs and gifts from the land which are unique to their people. Finger woven sashes and quill work were a means for my ancestors - the People of the Red Earth- to supplement their meager incomes and enforce their identity and pride.”
“People are confronted with the violence, both the violence that women are experiencing but also the power of and presence of Indigenous women.”
Image Description: Poster that with text “Sisters in Spirit. River walk to remember Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks we have lots to violence and colonialism. Octber 4th at 6pm. 6pm Meet at Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre. 6:30pm Join in a candlelit walk to the Front Street fire pit for speakers and a bonfire. Please follow the safe six to decrease risk of illness. All are welcome. Organized by Dawson Women’s Shelter, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre, and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Wellness Department. More information: dawsonwomensshelter.com” Background has three photos in horizontal stripes: blue sky with red clouds, dark blue water with ripples, river stones that have been digitally edited red.
Sisters in Spirit
When: Monday, October 4th, 6pm-7pm
Where: Gathering at Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, river walk to Front Street fire pit
Who: All are welcome
We come together to demand action to prevent the loss of our mothers, aunties, cousins, sisters, and daughters.
Join us for a gathering, walk along the Yukon River, and a bonfire on Front Street in solidarity to raise awareness about the indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people who have been and continue to be murdered or disappear.
Everyone is welcome.
Sisters in Spirit Dawson is organized by Dawson Women’s Shelter, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre, and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Wellness Department.
HǪZǪ ŁËKʼÄ̀NÄ̀CHA - We Take Care of Each Other
Confronting the systemic violence of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks can bring up a lot of feelings.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Support Line is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. You can also access long-term health support services such as mental health counselling, community-based emotional support and cultural services and some travel costs to see Elders and traditional healers - 1-844-413-6649.
Hope for Wellness Help Line is available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.