Honoring Red Dress Day: Holding Space for Truth, Grief, and Awareness

Every year on May 5th, red dresses appear across Canada, hanging from trees, draped in windows, placed in public spaces.

Red Dress Day is a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+). These empty dresses are not just symbols - they represent real people. Lives that were loved. Families that are still grieving. Stories that deserved to continue.

This Is Not Just History

The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people is not something confined to the past. It is happening now.

It is rooted in generations of colonialism, systemic inequities, and the ongoing impacts of policies that have disrupted communities, culture, and safety. Indigenous women and girls continue to face disproportionately high rates of violence in Canada.

For many, this day brings grief, anger, and a deep sense of loss. For others, it may be a moment of awareness - a first step in understanding something they were never fully taught.

Both matter.

Why Awareness Matters

Awareness alone is not the solution - but it is a necessary beginning.

When we take the time to learn, to listen, and to witness, we begin to shift from silence to acknowledgment. And from acknowledgment, there is the possibility of change.

As mental health providers, we also recognize the layered impact this crisis has - not only on individuals, but on families, communities, and collective wellbeing. Trauma does not exist in isolation. It is carried, shared, and often passed down.

Creating space for these conversations is part of meaningful care.

A Moment to Pause

If you notice a red dress today, take a moment.

Pause.

Reflect.

Feel.

Because each one represents someone who mattered. And still does.

Learn More

If you feel called to deepen your understanding, we encourage you to explore resources from Indigenous-led organizations and advocacy groups, including:

• Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

• Métis Nation of Ontario

At Thrive Therapy, we remain committed to learning, listening, and holding space for the truths that shape the lives of those we serve.