Red dresses, heavy hearts and hopeful voices filled Brock University\u2019s halls as students, faculty, staff and community members gathered to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Feb. 14, the Brock community observed Red Dress Day, a solemn yet powerful event held in Pond Inlet.<\/p>\n
The day of learning and reflection was organized by the Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit Student Centre in collaboration with Niagara College. Attendees participated in panel discussions, cultural workshops and community conversations aimed at fostering awareness and healing.<\/p>\n
Cindy Biancaniello, Director of Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs, noted the growing community presence at the event in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see more community out, which is really impressive,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have a whole group, a whole table that\u2019s come from Hamilton today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Biancaniello also emphasized the importance of fostering connections beyond political and geographical borders.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur community has no borders,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I think of Brock University and our students, they’re from everywhere. We extend invitations to everywhere, so it’s nice to see people feel welcome and show up.\u201d<\/p>\n
After an opening by Elder Jackie Labonte, the group held a discussion about ongoing violence against thousands of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGTBQQIA) people.<\/p>\n
The event raised awareness and encouraged action, elevating the mission of M\u00e9tis artist Jaime Black\u2019s REDress Project<\/a> to honour victims and push for meaningful change. As part of the project, red dresses will be displayed across Brock and Niagara College campuses until Monday, Feb. 24 to symbolize both the presence and absence of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have gone missing or been murdered.<\/p>\n Biancaniello acknowledged the emotional weight of the day but highlighted how community connections provide support. After lunch, participants took part in guided workshops on friendship bracelets, jingle earrings, beading and rabbit fur earrings.<\/p>\n \u201cThe morning is heavy; most people are in tears,\u201d she said. \u201cBut this is how we lighten our day. You can hear the chatter around the table right now, and people are healing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t