Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad | Red Dress Day
- Date
- May 05, 2026
- Time
- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET
- Location
- SLC, 8th Floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) at 341 Yonge St. & Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas)
- Open To
- Students, faculty, staff and community members
- Contact
- Crystal Osawamick indigevents@torontomu.ca
May 5 is Red Dress Day | Msko-mjigoodenh Giizhigad, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), including men, boys, and all Indigenous People.
The day is designated to honour the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people (including men, boys, and all Indigenous People) across Turtle Island. Visible reminders of this day are symbolized by hanging red dresses in windows, on fences, on balconies or in trees in connection to Mother Earth. The dresses represent the pain and loss that is felt by loved ones and survivors and the impact on Indigenous families, communities and nations across Turtle Island.
This year at 91福利, we are commemorating this day by having a Gathering Circle which includes a pipe ceremony and our third annual outdoor Red Dress Exhibit | Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin. The exhibit will be a visible reminder, bringing forth awareness of the targeted gendered and racialized crimes against the Indigenous Peoples.
All community members are invited to visit and observe the Msko-mjigoodenh Zhinoomaagewin | Red Dress Exhibit located this year at Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas).
Schedule
Red Dress Exhibit
- Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Afternoon Programming (at stage) Starting at 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Sankofa Square (Formerly Yonge-Dundas)
- Description: Exhibit of 100+ red dresses
Red Dress Day Gathering Circle
- Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (or until done)
- Location: SLC 8th Floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) at 341 Yonge St.
- Description: Gathering of various teachings, offering of tobacco, prayers and conclude with a berry feasting.
- Moontime Protocol: Please keep in mind, the protocol of women on their 鈥渕oontime鈥� (menstrual time) is to refrain from being directly in the circle of the pipe. There will be a cedar circle for those who are on their time to be in the circle if wanting to attend the Gathering Circle.
To register for the event and/or to volunteer, please refer to our .
Have a red dress to donate to the exhibit?
Community members are invited to donate red dresses for the Red Dress Exhibit.
The library will accept donations of red dresses at the (just inside the east entrance of the library) during library operating hours (7 a.m. to 1 a.m.) between April 8 and April 24.
Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre will also host a Red Dress drop off box in the front foyer POD-60 from April 13 - April 30, 2026.
Alternative Location (external)
Sankofa Square
Security Office (right of stage) April 15th - 24th from 9am-8pm
Mental Wellness & Cultural Support
Weecheetowin Support Services (pronounced Wee-cheet-owin), will be on-site to provide mental wellness and cultural support.
Crisis Support
For immediate crisis support, please call MMIWG Crisis Line 1-844-413-6649 or Hope For Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about supports available to Indigenous students, faculty and staff at 91福利.
Accessibility accommodations
The university is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any accommodation requirements, please email Crystal Osawamick, Manager of Indigenous Events and Special Projects at crystal.osawamick@torontomu.ca.
Questions?
For more information about the exhibit or would like to help volunteer with hanging the dresses, please contact Crystal Osawamick, Manager, Indigenous Events and Special Projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca