A fresh website and database showcasing the accounts of over 400 Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse individuals who either disappeared or were discovered deceased in Manitoba were unveiled in Winnipeg on the National Day of Action and Remembrance for MMIWG2S. The initiative, known as Red Dress Stories MB, spearheaded by Giganawenimaanaanig, a provincial organization committed to advocating for policy reforms for MMIWG2S+ in Manitoba, aims to pay tribute to the lives of those who are missing or murdered, provide support to families and communities, and raise awareness among the public.
The website’s centerpiece is an interactive map covering the entire province, adorned with red numbered circles and dress icons denoting the locations where individuals were reported missing or found deceased. Alaya McIvor, an advocate and relative of an MMIWG2S+ person, meticulously gathered data for every point on the map by engaging in discussions with families, compiling details such as each person’s name, age, hometown, and last known whereabouts. McIvor stressed the importance of empowering families by amplifying their voices and assisting them in reclaiming their strength and standing within the community.
Jose Timog, a data analyst and web developer for Giganawenimaanaanig, expressed his optimism that the website would serve as a catalyst for positive transformation, shedding light on the severity of the MMIWG2S+ crisis to prompt policy adjustments and educational initiatives. According to the database, there has been a noticeable surge in missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse individuals over the past five years. Timog emphasized the urgency of educating the public about this escalating trend.
The website will be continuously updated with new stories, including historical cases from previous decades, and will eventually provide resources for families and survivors, along with links to educational materials like the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report and its 231 Calls for Justice. Red Dress Stories website content is accessible in English, French, Ojibwe, and Cree, and is endorsed by various organizations and governments, including the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., Wahbung Abinoonjiiag, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, 2Spirit Consultants, Red River College Polytechnic, and the provincial and Winnipeg governments.
McIvor envisions the Red Dress Stories website as a driving force for change led by families across Manitoba and beyond, advocating for other regions to mirror Manitoba’s data collection efforts concerning missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse individuals. Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, president of the National Family and Survivors Circle Inc. and a member of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, believes the website will establish a lasting legacy for future generations, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Indigenous stories and lives.