Starting on February 9, Niagara College will hang red dresses across both the Welland Campus and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake to raise awareness for the REDress Project. The initiative is dedicated to honouring Missing and murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) people.
The REDress Project began in 2011 as an art installation at the University of Winnipeg by Métis artist Jaime Black and has since evolved into a national movement. This is the third year that the College will host the REDress Project and hang dresses on its campuses.
Participating in the REDress Project is a way to support the College's Indigenous community members and to encourage learning and discussion around MMIWG, noted Leah Hogan, Associate Director of Indigenous Education at NC.
"We continue to draw attention to the reality of our community's experience with gender-based violence against our women, LGBTQ+, and two-spirited people by hanging red dresses," said Hogan. "We all must keep the dialogue going on this national and human rights issue."
Dresses will be on display at both campuses until Feb. 16 as powerful visual reminders of the violence and injustices suffered by MMIWG and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people.
In addition to red dress displays on campus, the NC button - a life-size logo located at the main entrances at both campuses - will be illuminated red on Feb.14 in support of the REDress Project.
"Valentine's Day is known for celebrating love," said NC Indigenous Student Success Leader Emily Schutt. "That's why it is the perfect day for the College to bring awareness to our MMIWG2SGBTQQIA+ and to let those spirits who the dresses are representing, know that they are loved and not forgotten."
Niagara College is also encouraging community members to hang a red dress of their own as a show of solidarity and commitment to supporting our Indigenous community.
"The REDress Project is a powerful movement that has the ability to bring people together," said Schutt. "We are proud to participate in this important initiative in support of our community partners who bravely advocate for change and supports for Indigenous communities across the country."
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada's top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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