(Above photo by Sam Javanrouh)

A message from the Government of New Brunswick

Addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

GNB is committed to addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Studies have shown that more than half of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. Further, Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience rates of violence, both from an intimate and non-intimate partner, that are much higher than non-Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The REDress Project focuses on bringing awareness to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It involves hanging red dresses in spaces, as the dresses signify the losses of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people to colonial violence. The REDress Project began as an art installation by Métis artist Jamie Black on the campus of the University of Winnipeg in 2011 and has since evolved into a national movement.

May 5 is Red Dress Day. On this day, people of all backgrounds are encouraged to wear red to help raise awareness.

For more information on New Brunswick’s response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the REDress Project, please contact Michelle Perley, Program Advisor at Women’s Equality (michelle.perley@gnb.ca).

The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. Over the years, the idea has grown into a national campaign to engage all Canadians. There are a number of ways that you can participate, both on May 11 and throughout the year:

·     wear and share a moose hide pin to show your commitment to honour, respect and protect the women and children in your life, and to work with others to end violence against women and children;

·     take the online pledge and express your commitment to stand up against violence;

·     join the Moose Hide Campaign livestream on May 11 to witness traditional ceremonies and hear from keynote speakers; and

·     attend or host a Moose Hide Campaign Day gathering within your branch or division.

For more information about the Moose Hide Campaign, and to order pins free of charge, please visit https://moosehidecampaign.ca orcontact Chelsea Cullins, Indigenous Navigator, Department of Aboriginal Affairs (chelsea.cullins@gnb.ca).

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