Every red dress tells a story. Hung from trees, displayed in windows, and worn as jewelry, the red dress has become one of the most powerful symbols of Indigenous advocacy in Canada — a visual reminder of the thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit people who have gone missing or been murdered, and whose stories deserve to be heard.
At Blue World Treasures, we create handcrafted MMIWG jewelry as an act of remembrance, solidarity, and hope.
What Does MMIWG Mean?
MMIWG stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls — and increasingly, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are included in this recognition, reflected in the expanded acronym MMIWG2S.
The crisis is not a new one. For decades, Indigenous women and girls in Canada have gone missing or been killed at rates disproportionately higher than non-Indigenous women. According to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019), Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than non-Indigenous women in Canada.
The Red Dress Symbol
The red dress symbol was created by Métis artist Jaime Black through her REDress Project, which began in 2010. Black began hanging empty red dresses in public spaces as a visual reminder of the lives lost — the absence of the dress representing the absence of the person.
Red was chosen deliberately. In many Indigenous cultures, red is a sacred colour — one that spirits can see. It is a colour of power, of life, and of visibility for those who have been made invisible.
Red Dress Day: February 14
Every year on February 14, communities across Canada and beyond observe Red Dress Day (also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). On this day, people wear red, hang red dresses, and gather to honour those lost and call for justice and systemic change.
It is not a day of mourning alone — it is a day of action, of love, and of refusal to forget.
How Blue World Treasures Honours MMIWG
Our MMIWG Beaded Earrings are handcrafted in the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit beadwork tradition. The red dress fringe design is made with intention — each pair a wearable act of remembrance.
As a Métis and Two-Spirit-owned business, this work is personal. We believe that Indigenous art, worn and shared, keeps these stories alive in the world.
How You Can Show Up
- Wear red on February 14
- Share the stories of MMIWG in your community
- Support Indigenous-owned businesses and artists
- Learn about the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice: mmiwg-ffada.ca
The red dress is not just a symbol. It is a call — to see, to remember, and to act. We are honoured to carry that call forward through our work.
Handcrafted with love, made in Canada.