The Red Dress Exhibit

The Red Dress Exhibit: If Only These Dresses Could Tell Their Story
By Michele-Elise Burnett

ONGOING – SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 3-10PM + SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 10AM-8PM

ROBERTSON THEATRE AT FIRSTONTARIO PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

Based on the 13 Grandmother Moons and the cycle of the women, The Red Dress Exhibit will feature stories of 13 Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) from 13 Indigenous Peoples in Western New York and Niagara whose loved ones fell victim to these crimes. This immersive and poignant exhibit of 13 empty and suspended red dresses tells their untold story.

The exhibit is intended to increase awareness for the epidemic of the ongoing horrific systemic racial crimes targeting Indigenous women and girls; to remember the lost lives of the victims; to teach; to give Indigenous women a voice; to inspire a new cross-cultural generation based on inclusivity, compassion, love and; to collectively offer the MMIWG our love, gratitude create a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment for Indigenous Peoples. With Indigenous women being victims of murder more than 10 times the national average, this exhibit is about empathic LOVE

Each Red dress will be as unique and beautiful as the MMIWG it represents and the ribbons sewn on the dresses will be the keepers of their story. This exhibit will include an produced audio documentary for each dress, narrative signage and a special talk on Saturday 10 Sept at 12pm with some of the women who contributed to the project.

The Red Dress Exhibit Collective includes: Jill Lunn, Grandmother Jackie Labonte, Vanessa Brosseau, Marie Bowering, Shyann Jenkins, Cindy Simpson, Violet Printup, Nicole Joy-Fraser, Fallon Farinacci, Leona Skye, Mary Annette Clause, Carrissa Gracey, Darrell Doxtdator.