SCO Marks Red Dress Day by Honouring our Relatives and Demanding Change
Press Release
May 5, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) joins people from across Turtle Island, in honouring and acknowledging Red Dress Day.
Red Dress Day is also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S+). It is observed on May 5th. The day honours and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people who have been subjected to gender-based violence in Canada.
“As we mark Red Dress Day, I extend my deepest condolences to every family and Nation impacted by the loss of a loved one,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “This day is a time to remember, but also to reaffirm our commitment to truth, justice, and healing. We will continue to demand real action from governments and police forces. This is not just a crisis; it is a national emergency that requires a complete shift in how systems respond to Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people. We are no longer asking for change—we are insisting on it.”
This Red Dress Day carries a deeper weight for Long Plain First Nation and SCO, as we honour the long-overdue location of Morgan Beatrice Harris and Marcedes Myran. After years of advocacy and tireless work by searchers at the Prairie Green Landfill, both women were located and positively identified in March. Additionally, Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) was identified as Ashlee Christine Shingoose of St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation, bringing long-awaited answers to her family.
“We are thankful that Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran were finally located. We keep their family members in our prayers,” said Chief David Meeches of Long Plain First Nation. “Locating these two Long Plain citizens was made possible with the commitment and courage of the strong advocates who led and supported the search efforts. While we are relieved that Marcedes and Morgan have been located, we remain painfully aware that the path to justice is far from over. True justice means preventing these tragedies from happening in the first place. We will continue to push for such action.”
A key step toward action is the National Red Dress Alert System, currently being piloted in Manitoba by Giganawenimaanaanig (We All Take Care of Them), the province’s MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee. This life-saving initiative is designed to issue public alerts when an Indigenous woman, girl, or two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, or gender-diverse (2SLGBTQQIA+) person goes missing.
Giganawenimaanaanig is collecting data to support the development, design, implementation, and evaluation of a Red Dress Alert System framework and operational model in Manitoba. You can support this vital work by completing their survey here.
SCO is proud to stand with our member Nations and other organizations on Red Dress Day to call for justice on the issue of MMIWG2S+, to honour our loved ones, and to make space for those impacted by this tragedy to reclaim their power.
On May 5, several events are taking place in southern Manitoba. Community members are invited to attend these events. Participants are encouraged to wear red, bring drums, rattles, and a spirit of solidarity as we gather to honour the lives lost and those impacted. A full list of Red Dress Day events taking place in southern Manitoba is available on our website.
“Red Dress Day calls us to reflect, but more importantly, to act,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Gender-based violence continues to harm First Nations people. Last week, a 22-year-old woman named Nadia Flett-Carriere, lost her life in Winnipeg due to violence. I send my condolences to her loved ones. Condolences are not enough! It is essential that all levels of government work with urgency to fully implement the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Only then can we begin to build a future where our women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people are truly safe and respected.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca
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