National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Press Release
May 5, 2026
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), also known as Red Dress Day, a time to remember and honour Indigenous women and girls whose lives have been lost.
The Government of Prince Edward Island recognizes that awareness and education are key to preventing violence against Indigenous women and girls and continues to advance programs that support the MMIWG Calls for Justice.
“We must acknowledge the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as the profound impact that the thousands of missing individuals across Canada have on Indigenous families and communities. This day is as an important moment of remembrance, and our government is committed to implementing the MMIWG Calls for Justice as part of our ongoing efforts to address and prevent gender-based violence.”
– Premier Rob Lantz
Each year, the PEI government publishes status reports tracking progress on fulfilling the Calls for Justice and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action. Highlights from this year’s report include:
- Innovation PEI invested nearly $193,000 in Indigenous-led cultural projects to support the professional development and hiring of Indigenous artists and artisans at provincial, regional and international levels.
- An Early Years Centre Expansion Capital Grant of up to $200,000 was awarded to Abegweit First Nation Early Childhood Centre to expand and renovate its existing facility.
- The PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation released the film, Sukwis’im (Auntie’s Place), that highlights the work and life journey of a Mi’kmaq Leader who founded an Indigenous healing lodge.
- PEI is one of only three jurisdictions in the country that has fully implemented Truckers Against Trafficking’s recommended commercial vehicle enforcement measures to combat human trafficking.
- The Department of Finance completed the rollout of the PEI Geographic Naming and Renaming Program with the creation of Geographic Naming Advisory Committee. In 2025, the committee led community engagement sessions for the renaming of Savage Harbour and Savage Bay to Wild Harbour and Wild Bay.
- The PEI Housing Corporation opened an eleven-unit supportive housing building in Montague for those in need of housing, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Read the full report at Government of PEI’s Response to MMIWG and TRC Recommendations.
Media contact:
Nicole Yeba
Executive Council Office
ntyeba@gov.pe.ca
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