Multiple Rallies in Victoria on Red Dress Day

Hundreds rallied for two events in Victoria, on the traditional territory known as Lekwungen, to commemorate the many indigenous women and girls who one day didn’t get to walk back home.

This morning, 350 supporters gathered in Esquimalt for the Our Women Are Sacred march, spearheaded by the indigenous community in ceremonial attire, the vast majority in attendance wearing a red shirt in solidarity. Like most protests led by the indigenous, this march was mostly silent and grim, only sparsely interrupted with drumming and chanting ceremonies along the road.

While there were many personalities in attendance and significant media coverage, I have not recognised a single elected official among the crowd. I have made similar observations at previous rallies held by the indigenous community, such as the Stolen Sisters March back in February.

Speeches were delivered at the march’s endpoint. I only attended one (for being indisposed), which emphasised the bond between the people, the land, and its culture, in protecting the lives of community members and strengthening their bonds.

Later on this day started a Red Dress Day Vigil for victims at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, which has attracted about sixty people. The event, planned to last for 28 consecutive hours, started an hour late due to an elder being indisposed at the last minute. Fake candles are to be arrayed on the steps of the Legislature in remembrance of women who have become statistics and pictures on posters, if they didn’t just vanish in utter indifference.

At a drumming ceremony, elder Tom Sampson-TTASELEK of the T’Sartlip nation spoke in the spirit of reconciliation, longing for deeper understanding between peoples while admitting his utter incomprehension of the motives that drive men to murder his people’s women and girls.

While one could be excused for wondering whether awareness of the crisis needs being spread any further, the truth is that our society still has a long way to go in acknowledging the wrongs committed. For example, in February a comedy show by the Danger Cats was cancelled in Vancouver amid public outcry over its promotional merchandise including a shirt making light of Robert Pickton’s serial murders, which are so ignominious that a vigil was being held to oppose him being granted parole. The group is nevertheless scheduled to perform in Victoria on June 1st as if nothing happened.