Red Dress Day 2026: Time for a national alert system for missing Indigenous women and girls

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On May 5, Unifor members across the country mark Red Dress Day to honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) whose lives have been taken or disrupted by violence, and to stand with the families still searching for answers.

This year, Unifor is putting its support behind a clear policy priority: a dedicated alert system for missing Indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit people.

The “Amber Alert” system is well-known to Canadians. When a child goes missing, the alerts cuts through the noise of daily life with phones notifications, highway signs notices, and broadcast announcements on TV and radio.

Indigenous women and girls deserve that same urgency. Historically, police in many regions have been slow to respond and communities left to organize their own searches. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called out this pattern as an example of systemic racism that perpetuates the disproportionate victimization of MMIWG2S in Canada.

A dedicated alert system won't fix that on its own, but it would mark a public commitment to rapid action when an Indigenous woman, girl, or 2-Spirit person goes missing.

Unifor supports the call for a fully funded, nationally coordinated alert system, built in partnership with Indigenous families, communities, and leadership. The people closest to this crisis must shape the tool meant to address it.


May 5, 2026 Red Dress Events 

Alberta

Edmonton
May 5, 3 p.m.
Red Dress Vigil walk
Eastwood Community Hall, Edmonton

Calgary
May 5, 3 p.m. –7 p.m.
The evening will include speakers, Elders, dancers, and singing as we gather in honour of Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous PEOPLES (MMEIP) and in support of fa.m.ilies, survivors, and community.
Veterans Field of Crosses Memorial Site) at 200 Memorial Drive NW, Calgary

British Columbia

Duncan
May 5, 9 a.m.
Gone but not forgotten, 5/10k walk/run
Si’em Lelum Gym, 5574 River Rd, Duncan, BC

New Westminster
May 5, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Ceremony
Hyack Square, New Westminster, BC

Kamloops 
May 5 , 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Moccasin Square Garden 
357 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC

Maple Ridge
May 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Maple Ridge Secondary Track
21911 122 Ave, Maple Ridge, BC

Pitt Meadows 
May 5, 1 p.m.
Ceremony
11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC

Manitoba

Winnipeg
May 5, 5:30 p.m.
Walk for Justice
Oodena Circle, The Forks Market, Winnipeg

New Brunswick

Moncton
May 5, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Memorial Walk
Riverfront Park Gazebo in Riverview, New Brunswick

Walk along the Petitcodiac River and across the Gunningsville bridge to main st, turning left and ending at the L’Nuk trading post. 3.7km one way

Newfoundland

St. John’s 
Red Dress Day Gathering May 5, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.⁠
70 Brookfield Road, St. John’s⁠

Nova Scotia

Halifax
May 5 12 p.m.
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Memorial March
2021 Brunswick St., Halifax

Ontario

Fort William First Nation
May 5, 4:30 to 6:30
Red Dress Walk
Fort William First Nation Youth Centre

Toronto
Red Dress Day Gathering Circle
May 5, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
SLC 8th Floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) at 341 Yonge St.

Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition
May 4 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall, Ottawa

Ottawa
May 5 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Parlia.m.ent Hill (Sunrise Ceremony), Ottawa

Oshawa
May 5 5:30 to 8:30
Walk and Gathering
1173 Cedar St. Oshawa

Saskatchewan

Regina
May 5, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Community gathering for MMIWG/MMIP
The Gathering Place, 4001 3rd Ave N, Regina

Saskatoon
May 5, 8 a.m.
Calling Home Ceremony 
Saskatoon Police Service, 76, 25th Street East

Saskatoon
May 5, 4 P.m. to 5 p.m.
Red Dress Day Walk 
76, 25th Street East
Saskatoon Police Service HQ