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A powerful anthology uniting the voices of Indigenous women, Elders, grassroots community activists, artists, academics, and family members affected by the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people from across Turtle Island.
In 2010, Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette created the REDress Project—an art installation consisting of placing red dresses in public spaces as a call for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Symbolizing both absence and presence, the red dresses ignite a reclamation of voice and place for MMIWG2S. Fifteen years later, the symbol of the empty red dress endures as families continue to call for action.
In this anthology, Jaime Black-Morsette shares her own intimate stories and memories of the REDress Project along with the voices of Indigenous women, Elders, grassroots community activists, artists, academics, and family members affected by this tragedy. Together they use the power of their collective voice to not only call for justice for MMIWG2S, but honour Indigenous women as keepers and protectors of land, culture, and community across Turtle Island.
Among Quill & Quire’s 2025 Spring Preview, A Closer Look at How to Actually do the Work of Reconciliation list
Elders, artists, community activists and bereaved family members lend their voices to this anthology edited by Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette. Sadly, the book’s release is especially timely.
— Pat St. Germain
The anthology is...filled with a vast array of Indigenous visual artists whose work has been inspired by and instrumental to the MMIWG2S movement.
This collection is poignant and heartfelt...inspirational, educational, and heartbreaking...that serves to educate about MMIWG2S and other related projects. Those with no connection to MMIWG2S learn about this issue and its wide-reaching impact. This book is an important tool as we unearth the truth and move towards reconciliation.
— Caroline MacKenzie
It's a sobering book, a beautiful, powerful, reverent tribute to Indigenous victims of violence, for (and from) those who are left without them. Reading and discussing REDress can be a powerful experience for older teens and adults. We urge librarians, high school teachers, and arts educators to order multiple copies and share them widely. Highly Recommended.
— Debbie Reese
This book is an important read for anyone interested in knowing more about the REDress Project and other grassroots efforts to raise awareness in the public consciousness about MMIWG2S.
- Foreword Cathy Merrick ix
- Cathy Jaime Black-Morsette xiii
- Prayer Patti Beardy xiv
- Beginning Jaime Black-Morsette xvii
- She Lights a Fire 1
- Jaime Black-Morsette In Conversation with Judy Da Silva 13
- they tried to Bury us 21
- Red Dress Woman Cambria Harris 32
- Bring Me Home Cambria Harris 35
- Vanish Gladys Radek 37
- Who Gladys Radek 41
- A Love Letter to My Grandmother, Mary Alice Martin Lee-Ann Martin 42
- “I Feel Like My Spirit Knows Violence” Karine R. Duhamel 44
- Understanding Genocide—and How to Stop It—in the Context of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice for All Canadians 54
- how does change come Jaime Black-Morsette 56
- She holdd ground 59
- No Land Was Seized Zoey Roy 65
- The Power of Red and The Power of Community Christi Belcourt 68
- Nikâwiy Nitânis Mackenzie Anderson Linklater 78
- Heart Work Jaimie Isaac 82
- Gone But Not Forgotten Casey Koyczan 91
- Singing Legacy Deantha Edmunds 92
- Save Her (Savior) Crystal Lepscier 97
- Red Dresses and Moccasin Vamps Sherry Farrell Racette 98
- Art, Community Engagement, and Social Change
- She Holds Water 107
- Untitled Jaime Black-Morsette 114
- The Four Elements KC Adams 115
- Holding Space Between Here and the Sky Jennifer Lee Smith 120
- Sacred Stones in Whiteshell Evidence of Matrilineal Societies Diane Maytwayashing 124
- Beginning Again Jaime Black-Morsette 131
- Image Credits 134
- Contributor Biographies 136