Full Description
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.
Contents
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
