CAP Commemorates Red Dress Day and Call on the Federal Government to Implement a Red Dress Alert

Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 5, 2023) - Today, on Red Dress Day, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) lifts up all Indigenous peoples and communities across Turtle Island as we remember and honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and calls on the federal government to implement a red dress alert.

Systemic discrimination, racism, and violence against Indigenous people has resulted in violence against and loss of our women, girls, and 2S+ people. The ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people is a national tragedy that demands urgent action and attention.

We support the call by MP Leah Gazan and others to implement a public alert system to inform all Canadians when an Indigenous woman, girl, or 2S+ person goes missing. The Government of Canada has a duty to Indigenous peoples and must take a leadership role, financially and otherwise, in implementing an MMIWG2S+ "Red Dress" alert system.

We also call on the Federal Government to urgently address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people and stop delaying important measures like the Red Dress Alert, because every moment is critical to saving lives.

On Red Dress Day, we remember and continue to draw strength from the resilience and courage of our loved ones who have been lost to violence. On Red Dress Day, we honor their lives and commit ourselves to the important work of ensuring that no more Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people are lost to violence.

Media Contact
For media interviews please contact:
Hana Sabah, CAP Communications support
Cell: (514) 834-8841
Email: hana@impactcanada.com

Background

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is the second-oldest national aboriginal organization in Canada. It was founded in 1971, one year after the AFN. CAP represents the interests of off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit Aboriginal Peoples throughout Canada. CAP is one of five national Indigenous organizations recognized by the federal government, and holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/165058