In a unified stand to honour and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit People (MMIWG2S+), the Penticton Indian Band, City of Penticton, Ooknakane Friendship Centre, Okanagan Nation Alliance, and South Okanagan Métis Association invite the public to a Red Dress Day walk and ceremony on Monday, May 5, 2025, while offering a space for remembrance, reflection and community healing.
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Park and proceeds with a walk to Rotary Park, where there will be speakers, information booths hosted by community partners and refreshments.
The display of red dresses in public areas symbolizes and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and 2Spirit individuals lost to violence. Statistics Canada reports that between 2009 and 2021, Indigenous women experienced homicide rates six times higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Seeing a red dress is deeply symbolic, intertwining stories of loss, grief and resilience within our communities.
We encourage community members from all backgrounds to attend, wear red, and stand in solidarity against gender-based and colonial violence affecting Indigenous peoples.
The day’s events will include:
11 a.m. – Poster making at SS Sicamous
11:30 a.m. – Opening prayer and smudge
12 p.m. — Walk begins
12:30 p.m. — Walk ends at Rotary Park
1 p.m. — Guest speakers, open mic and community BBQ
