Mayor Nancy Peckford says today is an opportunity for North Grenville residents to think about how to work towards truth and reconciliation.
May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Also called “Red Dress Day,” it’s meant to honour the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community that have been victims of violence and their families. It’s been held every year since 2010.
“Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people have the right to be safe in their communities, wherever they live,” Mayor Peckford says. “There is much more work to be done to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”
She adds that acknowledging Red Dress Day is one small step towards North Grenville’s greater reconciliation goals.
“To that end,” she says, “we are currently creating a reconciliation framework, which will be brought forward to the soon to be established Indigenous Advisory Circle, who will support the Municipality in identifying some crucial next steps.”