Red Dress Day walk brings stories, solidarity to Regina streets

Monday's rain didn't stop dozens of community members from walking in Regina's second annual Red Dress Day event at the mâmawêyatitân centre.

The event was part of a national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S).

After the rainy walk, students and community members gathered at Scott Collegiate to hear stories honouring the lives of missing Indigenous women.

For Gwenda Yuzicappi, sharing her daughter's story is a way to keep her memory alive.

"If I can let one more person know what happened to her, that's my purpose," said Yuzicappi, whose daughter Amber Redman went missing in 2005.

Yuzicappi said she felt her daughter's presence during the walk and wanted to offer comfort to others who have experienced similar loss.

"Coming here for Red Dress Day, with so many inner-city children, youth, adults, being able to share her story gave me a lot of honour and respect. As First Nations women, we matter. Our lives matter," she said.

Held annually on May 5, Red Dress Day is a national call to end gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous people in Canada.

"It deepens understanding. Empathy grows from that and developing allies for our Indigenous community is so important," said Rhonda Haus, principal at Scott Collegiate.

WATCH | Mother keeps her daughter's memory alive at Red Dress Day walk: 

Mother keeps her daughter's memory alive at Red Dress Day walk

25 days ago

Duration 2:11

Gwenda Yuzicappi's daughter Amber Redman was just 17 when she disappeared in 2005. Twenty years later, the mother shares Amber's story at Saskatchewan's second annual Red Dress Day walk. The event aims to spread awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada.

This is the second year the school has hosted a Red Dress Day ceremony, creating space for reflection, learning and solidarity.

"It's a powerful opportunity for our students and community to hear first-hand experiences and understand the trauma and stories shared today," Haus said. "I think of Amber Redman's family and the profound impact their story has on everyone who hears it."

Participants brought signs, photographs, and traditional items to honour those lost.

Inside the school, the event featured drumming, ceremony and space for families to share memories. Many attendees wore red or ribbon skirts, and some students painted red handprints on their faces, a symbol of the lives lost and voices still unheard.

"I wear this red face paint to walk in solidarity with families and communities, and to walk for the women and two-spirit people who can't walk with us," said Izzy Sunshine, a student at Scott Collegiate.

As a young person in the community, Sunshine said she hopes more of her peers will engage and remember those who have been lost.

"I just want to send a message to everyone who saw us walking today, and everyone here: I support and stand with families."