Campus Libraries

Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit

A woman or girl is murdered every two and a half days in Canada, and Indigenous women are killed at six times the rate of non-Indigenous women. Additionally, one in three women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime (StatsCan, 2006).

May 5 is Red Dress Day, as well as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Red dresses have been hung around our libraries and the campus. These dresses symbolize the absence of Indigenous women, girls, and Two‑Spirit people whose lives were taken, while also calling attention to those who are still missing.

Moose Hide Campaign Day is May 14, a movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and children. Let's use these days to remember and honour those who have been lost, and work together to end gender-based violence.

The Indigenous Education and Cultural Services team will host Moose Hide Campaign Day on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon in Shawenjigewining Hall. with a smudge, an Opening and Honour Song.

The Libraries will be streaming Moose Hide Campaign Day events throughout the day on Thursday, May 14.

Illustration by Sarah Whalen-Lunn, an Inuit artist, featuring a woman in a handprint with her hair blowing in the wind and the northern star,