On May 5, Unifor members across the country mark Red Dress Day to honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) whose lives have been taken or disrupted by violence, and to stand with the families still searching for answers.
This year, Unifor is putting its support behind a clear policy priority: a dedicated alert system for missing Indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit people.
The “Amber Alert” system is well-known to Canadians. When a child goes missing, the alerts cuts through the noise of daily life with phones notifications, highway signs notices, and broadcast announcements on TV and radio.
Indigenous women and girls deserve that same urgency. Historically, police in many regions have been slow to respond and communities left to organize their own searches. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called out this pattern as an example of systemic racism that perpetuates the disproportionate victimization of MMIWG2S in Canada.
A dedicated alert system won’t fix that on its own, but it would mark a public commitment to rapid action when an Indigenous woman, girl, or 2-Spirit person goes missing.
Unifor supports the call for a fully funded, nationally coordinated alert system, built in partnership with Indigenous families, communities, and leadership. The people closest to this crisis must shape the tool meant to address it.
In solidarity,
Lana Payne
Unifor National President
Read this statement on our website.
May 5, 2026 Red Dress Events
Alberta
Edmonton
May 5, 3 p.m.
Red Dress Vigil walk
Eastwood Community Hall, Edmonton
Calgary
May 5, 3 p.m. –7 p.m.
The evening will include speakers, Elders, dancers, and singing as we gather in honour of Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous PEOPLES (MMEIP) and in support of fa.m.ilies, survivors, and community.
Veterans Field of Crosses Memorial Site) at 200 Memorial Drive NW, Calgary
British Columbia
Duncan
May 5, 9 a.m.
Gone but not forgotten, 5/10k walk/run
Si’em Lelum Gym, 5574 River Rd, Duncan, BC
New Westminster
May 5, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Ceremony
Hyack Square, New Westminster, BC
Kamloops
May 5 , 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Moccasin Square Garden
357 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC
Maple Ridge
May 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Maple Ridge Secondary Track
21911 122 Ave, Maple Ridge, BC
Pitt Meadows
May 5, 1 p.m.
Ceremony
11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC
Manitoba
Winnipeg
May 5, 5:30 p.m.
Walk for Justice
Oodena Circle, The Forks Market, Winnipeg
New Brunswick
Moncton
May 5, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Memorial Walk
Riverfront Park Gazebo in Riverview, New Brunswick
Walk along the Petitcodiac River and across the Gunningsville bridge to main st, turning left and ending at the L’Nuk trading post. 3.7km one way
Newfoundland
St. John’s
Red Dress Day Gathering May 5, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
70 Brookfield Road, St. John’s
Nova Scotia
Halifax
May 5 12 p.m.
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Memorial March
2021 Brunswick St., Halifax
Ontario
Fort William First Nation
May 5, 4:30 to 6:30
Red Dress Walk
Fort William First Nation Youth Centre
Toronto
Red Dress Day Gathering Circle
May 5, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
SLC 8th Floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) at 341 Yonge St.
Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition
May 4 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall, Ottawa
Ottawa
May 5 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Parlia.m.ent Hill (Sunrise Ceremony), Ottawa
Oshawa
May 5 5:30 to 8:30
Walk and Gathering
1173 Cedar St. Oshawa
Saskatchewan
Regina
May 5, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Community gathering for MMIWG/MMIP
The Gathering Place, 4001 3rd Ave N, Regina
Saskatoon
May 5, 8 a.m.
Calling Home Ceremony
Saskatoon Police Service, 76, 25th Street East
Saskatoon
May 5, 4 P.m. to 5 p.m.
Red Dress Day Walk
76, 25th Street East
Saskatoon Police Service HQ
