Big Country Anti-Violence Association (BCAVA) and the Drumheller Community Business Association (CBA) encouraged Drumheller businesses and community members to hang red dresses on Thursday, May 5 in support of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), better known as Red Dress Day. Red Dress Day is held in honour of and to bring awareness to the ongoing MMIWG2S crisis in Canada. Indigenous women, according to the Native Women’s Association of Canada, are at a disproportionately high risk of homicide, representing about 10 per cent of all homicides against women in Canada, while only making up about three per cent of the country’s female population. Red dresses were donated and hung at Angel’s Corner near the Gordon Taylor Bridge as a visual representation of the missing, and a smudge and ceremony were held with Elder John Sinclair saying a prayer and singing a song of healing. About 20 attended the ceremony, including Town of Drumheller administration, members of BCAVA, and the Drumheller RCMP. Among those who attended the ceremony were (l-r) Elder Sinclair, Indigenous liaison Lynn Fabrick, and Drumheller Chief Administrative Officer Darryl Drohomerski.
