Schools, postsecondary institutions honour Red Dress Day, Moose Hide Day with education, reflection

Educational institutions across Canada spent time this month to honour missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, provide education to staff and students, raise awareness about gender-based violence, and stand in solidarity with survivors. On May 5th, several schools marked Red Dress Day: The University of Prince Edward Island collaborated with the PEI Department of Education and ArtsSmarts to educate high school students at Montague Regional High School using case files and contemporary Indigenous history; St Clair Catholic District School Board encouraged students to wear red and students participated in a paint session led by artist Moses Lunham of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation; and the Alberta University of the Arts encouraged students to hang a red dress in their yard, wear red, or attend a vigil to honour those who are gone. On May 12th, schools and postsecondary institutions recognized Moose Hide Day, which raises awareness about gender-based violence against Indigenous women and children. Students in Indian Head, SK marked Moose Hide Campaign Day with an awareness walk and pins made out of moose hide; while in Kimberley, BC, around 100 elementary and high school students attended an event featuring speeches, readings, and a performance by the Numa Ka’kin drum group.

CBC (UPEI) | Nation Talk (St. Clair Catholic District School Board) | AU Arts | CTV News (Indian Head) CBC (Kimberley) | CTV News (Indian Head) CBC (Kimberley)