Red Dress Day 2025: Creating Safe Spaces in Saskatchewan

On May 5^th the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, we invite everyone to wear red as a powerful act of remembrance, solidarity, and awareness. Together, we honour those affected and shine a light on the ongoing crisis of MMIWG2S+.

Over the past five years, the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS) has proudly partnered with The Princess Shop on the Red Dress Campaign. Through laughter and storytelling, 28 inspirational women have come together to raise awareness. Each woman brought incredible energy, love for their communities, and a deep connection to their loved ones. Together, they created a space for reflection, healing, and self-care. Many of the women involved spoke through tears on how important it is to raise awareness so that their loved ones are not forgotten and to advocate to end these tragedies.

One resounding message that emerged during our Red Dress Day Campaign is that there is no true healing without justice and action.

Responding to the Call:

In 2022, AFCS began outreach in our Friendship Centre communities collecting invaluable information that built the foundation of what we call our Safe Space Strategy today.

The Safe Space Strategy is a holistic, Indigenous-led response to gender-based violence against Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. Rooted in traditional knowledge and community-driven practices, the strategy brings together Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members, service providers, policy makers to share lived experiences, exchange knowledge, and co-develop a province-wide approach to safety. Together, we are building a collective vision for safe, inclusive spaces across the Friendship Centre Movement.

In May 2024, we hosted a Safe Space Gathering in Saskatoon, SK. Bringing together our integral women’s programming front-line staff, alongside other members of our Friendship Centre Movement and our Provincial Guiding Committee, to collaborate on fostering safe spaces for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities.

This gathering featured wonderful presenters from our community partners, including Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS), National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), Traditional Healers, and Knowledge Keepers. Aimed at addressing and preventing gender-based violence, the event highlighted the importance of community engagement and listening to the voices and stories of Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit individuals.

We are deeply proud of the contributions of our Friendship Centres and of the progress we’ve made by bringing voices, experiences, and wisdom from across the province into one room.

As we continue this work, AFCS remains committed to honouring those affected by creating positive community change. The Safe Space Strategy Gathering is not the end, it’s a beginning. Together, we will continue to honour the MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice and strive to support urban Indigenous women and gender diverse individuals in all areas of safety through dignity, respect and remaining a safe space.