A crowd gathered in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, on May 5, 2026, to observe Red Dress Day, an annual event dedicated to the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. The gathering brought together community members, advocates, and leaders to honor those who have been lost and to call for continued action on the crisis.
Event Highlights
Participants wore red clothing and carried signs bearing the names of victims. The event included speeches from Indigenous elders and community organizers, who emphasized the need for systemic change and justice. A walk was held through the city streets, symbolizing the ongoing search for answers and healing.
Community Response
Local leaders expressed solidarity with the families of victims and reiterated commitments to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls. The gathering also served as a reminder of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, whose final report in 2019 called for transformative changes in policing, child welfare, and other systems.
Red Dress Day, observed annually on May 5, began as a grassroots movement and has since gained national recognition. The day uses the visual of empty red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women. In Yorkton, the event was organized by local Indigenous groups and supported by municipal authorities.
