Sask. Polytechnic marks MMIWG National Awareness Day

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is marking Sunday’s national awareness day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) with red dress displays at each of its campuses.

Deanna Speidel, Indigenous strategy co-ordinator with the college, said the displays have a profound impact on people when they see some of the smaller sizes.

“We recognize that there are young children that have been affected by this — that have gone missing, have been murdered,” she said. “Seeing those little dresses makes you stop and think.”

The red dresses at these displays symbolize the lives of all the missing and murdered.

“According to certain Dakota spiritual beliefs, the colour red is sacred and is the only colour spirits can see,” a news release from Saskatchewan Polytechnic said. “The spirits of the Indigenous women and girls who are no longer with us will see the dresses and know that they have not been forgotten.”

Displays at the Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon campuses were installed on a temporary basis and will be removed on Monday. Moose Jaw’s campus has a permanent display.

Speidel hopes the displays get people talking about MMIWG, a conversation she hopes one day not to have.

While many of the displays are temporary, she hopes it leaves a lasting impact on people that makes it impossible to forget.

The MMIWG national inquiry is expected to present its final report on June 3.