Redressing the issue of gendered violence

 Local artist teams with gender studies institute to raise awareness 

                                              Photo from: Kim Hunter at IWGS

Local Métis artist, Jamie Black will kick off International Women’s Week at the University of Winnipeg with the REDress Project on March 7. Partnering with the Institute of Women and Gender Studies (IWGS), Black will display an art installation to address the issue of missing or murdered women across Canada.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada has reported 520 missing or murdered women across the country, half of them since the year 2000. Black’s REDress Project will showcase donated red dresses in commemoration of these women to promote the public’s awareness of this issue.

“I chose red because it is such a powerful colour and evokes both sides of being an Aboriginal woman. Red is symbolic of blood, life, violence, and passion. It also represents women of the red nation,” explained Black.

Twelve sites will be constructed across campus at the university, both indoor and outdoor.

“We expect 12,000 people will see these exhibits, whether they do so on purpose or just when attending the university,” said Kim Hunter, project and event coordinator for IWGS.

Black’s inspiration for REDress came when she was traveling through South America in 2009. She attended a performance art conference and saw an emotional protest being held against 400 missing Columbian women, many of which due to political reasons.

“I don’t have a direct connection with any of the missing or murdered women in Canada. But I am a Métis woman and my family has always faced Aboriginal stereotypes,” said Black.

Promotion for this project started in the summer by collecting dresses, speaking at events, like Take Back the Night, and through social media. REDress’ exhibition goal is to collect 500 red dresses and has reached approximately 120. Black doesn’t expect to achieve her goal before March but hopes that she will be able to show her installation elsewhere.

“I hope to travel with the REDress Project and be able to receive dress donations from other cities. This isn’t just a Canadian problem and, ideally, I would love to travel outside of Canada with it.”

However the actual project’s objective is to create discussion and educate about the missing women by presenting the issue in a different light.

Though, according to Hunter, the success of the actual project will be hard to measure.

“We will try to determine the impact of the REDress Project by the community’s response and the number of people that become active in stopping violence against Aboriginal women,” explained Hunter.

Postcards will be available at each site advocating the end of violence against Aboriginal women.

There are six drop-off locations around the city for Winnipeggers to donate red dresses, new or gently used and of any size. Volunteers are required for promoting, setting up, and giving tours of the exhibits. Interested individuals are encouraged contact Kim Hunter at 204-786-9921 for more information.