Honouring Red Dress Day: A Time to Reflect and Stand Together

Red Dress Day serves as a powerful reminder of the injustices that continue to affect our Indigenous communities across Canada.

At Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), rooted in the Cariboo Chilcotin, we observe that Red Dress Day carries deep meaning. We acknowledge this day with profound respect and reflection, recognizing its deep significance. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and communities who have lost loved ones and continue to search for answers, healing and justice. We also share this so that those we work and partner with know how important it is for us to reflect and stand together.

The red dresses often seen hanging in trees, from buildings, or displayed in open spaces are a powerful visual reminder to us all. They symbolize the Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who are no longer with us, those whose stories were never told, whose families never found closure, and whose voices must continue to be heard.

At CCR, we recognize that Red Dress Day is not a moment but a movement, one that calls each of us to listen, learn, and act meaningfully in our personal and professional lives. We feel a responsibility to stand with those who are affected, to support community healing, and to use our platform to honour the lives and legacies of those who are missing or have been lost to violence.

“On behalf of our board and our staff team, I invite you to commemorate Red Dress Day as a time to acknowledge the strength, resilience, and leadership of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people,” shared Percy Guichon, elected Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation and Chief Executive Officer of CCR. “Their voices, traditions, and contributions are vital not only in our families and communities but also in our work, our governance, and our future.”

On May 5th, we pause to reflect and remember those who have been taken too soon. We honour their memory. We acknowledge the grief carried by their loved ones and communities, and we remain committed to walking the path of truth and reconciliation with compassion and accountability at the centre of all we do.

Together, we reflect, not just today but every day, on how we can help build a future where Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are safe, seen, and supported.