Book Description

A powerful anthology uniting the voices of Indigenous women, Elders, grassroots community activists, artists, academics, and family members affected by the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people from across Turtle Island.

In 2010, Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette created the REDress Project—an art installation consisting of placing red dresses in public spaces as a call for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Symbolizing both absence and presence, the red dresses ignite a reclamation of voice and place for MMIWG2S. Fifteen years later, the symbol of the empty red dress endures as families continue to call for action.

In this anthology, Jaime Black-Morsette shares her own intimate stories and memories of the REDress Project along with the voices of Indigenous women, Elders, grassroots community activists, artists, academics, and family members affected by this tragedy. Together they use the power of their collective voice to not only call for justice for MMIWG2S, but honour Indigenous women as keepers and protectors of land, culture, and community across Turtle Island.

About the Author

Mackenzie Anderson Linklater(she/her/hers) is an artist who creates with beading, printmaking, and installation. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honors at the School of Art at the University of Manitoba. Mackenzie is first degree Midewiwin at the Minweyweygan Lodge in Roseau River First Nation and her true name is Mispon Kisikaw Iskwew or Goonagiizhagokwe, which translates to Snowy Sky Woman.

Karine Duhamelis Anishinaabe-Métis and an off-reserve member of Red Rock First Nation. From 2018 to 2019, Karine was Director of Research for the historic National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, drafting the Final Report, directing the Legacy Archive, and managing the Forensic Document Review Project. In 2020 and 2021, she chaired the Data Sub-Working group that created the MMIWG National Action Plan Data Strategy. She is now Director, Indigenous Strategy for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Deantha Edmundsis Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer and an award-winning performer. Deantha’s most recent album, her award-winning solo album Connections (2022), earned her a nomination for a 2023 East Coast Music Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. In 2023, Deantha was longlisted for the prestigious Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award from the Inuit Art Foundation.

Cambria Harris(she/her/hers), West Flying Sparrow Woman, lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is an Ojibway member of the Long Plain First Nation. Cambria is one of the leading voices of the Search The Landfill Movement in response to the province of Manitoba’s refusal to search for her mother’s remains in a local landfill. Cambria uses her voice to call for government action and fight for justice for not only her mother, but all those affected by MMIWG2S.

Casey Koyczanis a Dene interdisciplinary artist from Yellowknife, NT, who uses various mediums to communicate how culture and technology can grow together in order for us to develop a better understanding of who we are, where we come from, and what we will be. He creates with whatever tools necessary to bring an idea to fruition, and specializes in sculpture, installation, 3D/VR/AR/360, video, and audio works such as music, soundscapes, and film scores.

Crystal Lepscier (Waqsepāēhketukiw)is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa. In May 2022, Crystal completed her Education Doctorate in First Nations Education from UW – Green Bay. She earned both her Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (2011) and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art (2005) from UW-Madison. She currently works at UWGB as the First Nations Student Success Coordinator.

Diane Maytwayahsingis an Anishinaabe woman with Scottish ancestry who lives in Manitouabee (Where the spirit sits) in the Whiteshell area on the Manitoba and Ontario border. Her Anishinaabe name is Ozawa Giizis Ikwe (Yellow Sun Woman), and her family Clan is Migizi (Bald Eagle). Diane is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and Heritage Interpreter of the Petroforms, which are known as the Bannock Point Petroforms in Whiteshell Park. Over the past 8 years, Diane has conducted Indigenous Matriarchal presentations in universities, centers, and in the Whiteshell Park as land-based education.

Cathy Merrick(1962–2024) was a proud Cree woman from the Cross Lake Band of Indians in northern Manitoba. Merrick’s leadership journey began as a Councillor in Pimicikamak, where she served for twelve years. After forty-four years of male leadership, Merrick was the second woman to be elected as Chief of Pimicikamak in 2013 and remained Chief for an impactful five years as per Pimicikamak election law. In October 2022, she made history by becoming the first female Grand Chief elected to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Gladys Radekis a human rights activist originally from the Gitxsan Wet’suwet’en territory in northern British Columbia, known as the Highway of Tears. Gladys’s niece, Tamara Lynn Chipman, disappeared out of Prince Rupert, BC, in 2005. In response, Gladys co-founded the grassroots organization Walk4Justice in 2008 to bring the families affected by MMIWG together. Gladys’s efforts played a significant role in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Today, she continues to raise awareness about MMIWG and advocates for governments to act on the 231 Calls to Justice from the inquiry.

Zoey Royis an award winning Cree-Dene Michif spoken word poet, teaching artist, and creative consultant based out of Ottawa, Ontario. She is a PhD student at York University, focusing on songwriting as future-building for Indigenous nations. Zoey has received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Women of Distinction Award in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Congress of Aboriginal People Youth Leadership Award, the Indspire Award, and the Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award at the University of Saskatchewan.

Jennifer Lee Smithis a Red River Métis Curator, Writer and Arts Administrator living on Treaty 1 Territory/Winnipeg. Her work focuses on the relationships between Indigenous artists, connections to land and material culture.