Missing Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit Awareness Weekend

Red Dress Installation at IAIS
Friday, May 3rd (1:00PM – 4:00PM)
Saturday, May 4th (11:00AM – 4:00PM)
Sunday, May 5th (11:00AM – 4:00PM)

Each year, thousands of women, children, and 2 Spirit Native Americans go missing or are found murdered in the United States and Canada. Gaps in data make the true scope difficult to estimate, but the murder rate of Native women is more than ten times the national average on some reservations. 

In observance of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls on May 5th, the Institute for American Indian Studies will be participating in several activities designed to raise awareness about this important issue. At the museum, we will be hanging red dresses in an installation based on the work of Metis artist Jaime Black. Some of the red dresses that have been donated over the years will also be installed at the Connecticut state capitol in Hartford from April 30 – May 7. 

As part of this effort, our Educational Outreach Ambassador Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke Tribal Nation) will be participating in Red Dress Day at the state capitol on Monday, May 6th at 10:00am, in an initiative bringing together various individuals, organizations, and tribal nations from throughout the state. A special shout out to Brandi Sawyer Emmans, volunteer and advocate, for her efforts coordinating these activities and acquiring donations of red dresses.

Please note: Due to the nature of this topic, these activities may trigger strong emotions in some participants.

If you would like to participate in the installation of red dresses at the museum, or would like directions to the event on May 6th, please email [email protected]. Attendance at this outdoor installation is free, although we encourage donations to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: https://www.niwrc.org/.