Red Dress Day in Woodstock

Drumming opened the evening, echoing through Museum Square as the community prepared to honour the missing and murdered. (Ron Yuzark photo)

Ron Yuzark, Echo Correspondent

A powerful and emotional gathering took place Tuesday, May 5, in Museum Square as Woodstock residents came together to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+).

The two-hour event, held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., transformed the downtown square into a space of remembrance, cultural expression, and collective advocacy. Red dresses—symbols of the thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have been taken—were displayed throughout the square, creating a visual reminder of the national crisis that continues to impact Indigenous families and communities.

Attendees were encouraged to wear red, and the crowd responded, creating a sea of colour that underscored the unity and support present throughout the evening. The program began with traditional drumming, grounding the gathering in Indigenous culture and honouring the spirits of those lost.

Community speakers then took to the microphone, sharing stories, statistics, and personal reflections that highlighted both the human impact of this ongoing tragedy and the urgent need for systemic change. Their messages called for justice, accountability, and sustained public awareness.

A Red Dress craft table invited participants to create symbolic dress ornaments, offering a hands-on way to engage with the day’s meaning. Many attendees chose to leave their creations at the memorial site. As the sun set, the event shifted into a candlelight vigil. The crowd stood together in silence, candles illuminating the square as names were spoken and moments of reflection were shared.

Organizers emphasized that Red Dress Day is not only a memorial but a call to action. They encouraged attendees to continue learning, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and advocating for meaningful change in policies, services, and public awareness. The event closed with a collective affirmation of commitment: to say their names, to honour their lives, and to ensure that the violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people is never ignored or forgotten.