Today is Red Dress Day, a day to honour and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or who have been murdered.

Two local Indigenous Organizations; MIKI’SIW Métis Association and the Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society are hosting an awareness event in honor of the day.

Community members are encouraged to wear red and join them Friday afternoon at Simms Park in Courtenay.

Participation is encouraged by walking the red dress-lined route within the park, visiting educational tables, and attending traditional activities such as drumming and smudging circles.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 1 p.m.

First marked in 2010, Red Dress Day is recognized across the country. It was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black and her installation in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women.