Red Dress Day events took place in Vanderhoof on May 5, which marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).
Saik’uz First Nation hosted a memorial walk, drumming, community gathering, and other activities in the Highway park on Sudnay. Attendees wore red as a symbol of solidarity.
The event started from outside the Vanderhoof RCMP station on Columbia St., where participants gathered before embarking on a march to the Highway 16 park.
The event was open to all members of the public to join and show their support for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.
These community events aim to honour the lives of those who have been lost and raise awareness about this ongoing issue.
“People need to examine statistics across Canada to see how many people are missing in the country,” said Saik’uz Nation Chief Priscilla Mueller.
Last year, Mueller’s community mourned the loss of 29-year-old Chelsey Heron (Quaw), whose remains were discovered in Saik’uz Territory in November, a month after her disappearance. Similarly, Nicholas John, a member of Saik’uz, was found deceased near Vanderhoof five months after he was reported missing in October 2022.
“We still have Jay Preston Raphael missing,” Mueller added. Raphael was last seen in Saik’uz in February 2023.
Mueller highlighted the ongoing issue of missing Indigenous women and men along Highway 16, emphasising the need for continued awareness and action.
“Many of our communities are located along the highway, and it appears that the issue of missing women and men along Highway 16 is not taken as seriously as we would like,” Mueller said.
“It is alarming. It feels as though our lives don’t matter,” she added.
On Red Dress Day, Mueller is calling on policymakers and community leaders to adopt more practical solutions, such as improved signage and well-lit benches, to enhance safety along Highway 16.
“It’s crucial that in 2024, we refuse to accept the disappearance of Indigenous women as a norm,” she said.