Ministers Alty, Gull-Masty, Chartrand, and Valdez issue a statement on Red Dress Day

Press Release

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Ottawa, Ontario (May 5, 2026) — Traditional unceded Algonquin territory

Today, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty; Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty; Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Rebecca Chartrand; and Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rechie Valdez issued the following statement:

“The red dresses on display across the country today, inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black Morsette’s REDress Project, are a powerful reminder of the Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada.

On this national day of awareness, we honour the lives lost and we stand with the victims, survivors, families, and communities who continue to lead with strength. We join them in asserting our shared determination to build a safer country for everyone.

To mark this important day we joined Prime Minister Mark Carney, Indigenous Grandmothers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers in a ceremony to honour the Sacred Bundle.

The Sacred Bundle carries and reflects the spiritual foundation of the National Inquiry, carrying the prayers, stories, and truths of victims, survivors, and their loved ones and communities. During the ceremony today, the Prime Minister received the Sacred Bundle and reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to end the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

We continue to collaborate with Indigenous communities and partners, as well as with provinces and territories. Ending this crisis requires sustained, coordinated action across all levels of government and in partnership with Indigenous peoples, to end this crisis. This requires actions from all, guided by the lived experiences of families and survivors.

That is why today we are announcing $2.6 million for the National Family and Survivors Circle Inc to continue their work in centering families and survivors in the implementation of the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice. At the same time, we are also announcing $300,000 for Giganawenimaanaanig to help advance the next steps on a Red Dress Alert pilot in Manitoba.

Further, we are also making investments in areas such as the expansion of access to safe, culturally appropriate spaces through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, part of the $724.1 million Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy. This investment will support the creation of 38 new shelters and 42 transition homes across Canada, including in northern and urban communities. In addition, we continue the actions to prevent and address gender-based violence through the National Action Plan to End Gender‑Based Violence, especially under Pillar 4 — Indigenous-led Approaches, which are fundamental to meaningful and lasting change. These kinds of investments support community-led solutions, strengthen prevention efforts, and make culturally grounded, trauma-informed supports available and accessible to those who need them most.

Today and every day, we remember, reflect, and recommit to action. We will work in partnership to advance change that upholds the safety, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada.”

Taking care

There is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line that provides mental health support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. For assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.

Support is also available through the MMIWG health and cultural support services.

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Alec Wilson
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Rebecca Alty
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
alec.wilson@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca

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