Every year on May 5th, Canadians observe Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). Red dresses hang in trees, on fences, and in windows as a haunting, powerful reminder of the lives lost and the families still waiting for answers.
At Blue World Treasures, this day holds deep meaning. Our work — rooted in Indigenous beadwork traditions passed down through generations — is an act of cultural preservation and resistance. Every stitch is a story. Every piece we create honours the hands that taught us and the communities that carry these traditions forward.
Why Red Dress Day Matters
The red dress symbol was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black's REDress Project, which began in 2010. The empty dresses represent the missing presence of Indigenous women and girls — a visual call to action that has grown into a national movement. Learn more at the Native Women's Association of Canada's Red Dress Day page.
Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence in Canada. Remembering them — saying their names, honouring their lives — is an act of love and justice.
How We Honour Through Our Craft
Beadwork has always been more than decoration. It is language. It is prayer. It is memory. When we create a pair of beaded earrings or a hand-stitched accessory, we are participating in a living tradition that connects us to our ancestors and to each other. Learn more about the artistry behind our work in our guide to Beadwork Earrings: A Timeless Guide to Crafting and Styling.
This Red Dress Day, we invite you to reflect on the stories woven into every piece from Blue World Treasures. When you wear our work, you carry those stories with you. You can honour this day by wearing our MMIWG2S+ Red Dress Earring Pattern or showing your support with our MMIWG2S Fundraising Bracelet.
Our Commitment to the Earth and Our Communities
Honouring Indigenous women means honouring the land they are connected to. At Blue World Treasures, sustainability and cultural integrity go hand in hand. Read more about how we weave sustainability into every bead.
How You Can Show Up
- Wear red on May 5th in solidarity.
- Hang a red dress or ribbon in your window or yard.
- Learn the names of MMIWG2S in your region.
- Support Indigenous-led organizations working on this issue.
- Amplify Indigenous voices — follow, share, listen.
- Explore and support authentic Indigenous jewelry and its cultural significance.
A Note from Our Studio
We are grateful to create in a tradition that is alive and resilient. We honour all those who are no longer with us, and we stand with the families and communities who continue to seek justice and healing.
Chi-miigwech. Thank you for being part of this community.