Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Day, on May 5, 2025, also commonly known as Red Dress Day, was acknowledged by Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik through a school/community Walk initiated by Nina Toulouse. Nina’s grandfather, Moses, was from Sagamok, and she has cousins and family here still. Travelling alongside Nina, to capture her Walk fora Rogers Documentary, was videographer and personal friend of Nina’s, Ben Jonah.
In conversation with Nina, at Miss Vicki’s over lunch, she opened up about some of her reasons behind organizing the Walk and doing the work of building awareness around MMIWG. She was first called to do this work during a difficult time following her mom’s passing in 2020. In 2022, she held her first Walk for MMIWG from Junction Creek near Sudbury to Whitefish River – 100 km over 3 days. Nina was bringing her mom’s spirit back home. She described how various groups came, joined, and broke away throughout the Walk; everyone was there to add support and encouragement, including two support drivers. The intention to do the Walk began with a dream her cousin had about what happened to her mom, and how they didn’t get the answers they wanted; they hadn’t found peace about it. They struggled with these mixed emotions for a while and then decided they would channel their struggles/conflict in a more spiritual way – a walk to bring awareness to MMIWG. They began with two online engagements: one at N'Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sudbury and another on Manitoulin Island, which was conducted as a silent walk due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
After the first two Walks, Nina moved to Algoma University. She was still grieving the loss of her mom and needed to take time to walk her healing journey. She became part of the Student Council, Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students Association, and part of the planning committee for ‘Gathering at the Rapids Powwow’ held in Sault Ste Marie. The Gathering at the Rapids Pow Wow includes a Red Dress Special to honor and raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). A march was conducted in downtown Sault Ste. Marie to bring awareness to the issue. Rather than a demonstration, the event was quiet and reflective, helping spiritually to heal loss and grief in a subtle, calm, and gentle manner. Red Dress Day is observed annually on May5, and is a day dedicated to remembering and honoring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. It is about the women and girls of our communities; sisters, aunties, mothers, and daughters – people we cherish and miss due to violent acts. We use this day to remember them and their spirit.
Around the time of the Sault Ste. Marie Powwow, Nina began dancing. She was gifted a red jingle dress from a lifetime friend. She described the tradition behind this special gift: you are either gifted a dress, you or someone who knows you has a dream about a dress, or you make your own. You always gift the first dress you make to someone else. Nina explains that "it is spirit directing that message to get you that [red dress]" and this is the source of her inspiration to begin dancing in the powwow circle. She also offers tobacco and respect during her Walks or dancing by asking leadership to speak or present on the territorial land she visits. She found it very moving when her brother spoke from the male perspective atone of the events she helped to organize. The messaging surrounding MMIWG is becoming more familiar and recognized.
The students and staff of Biidaaban organized themselves around a sacred fire located near the outdoor Land Based shed. Miigwech to Michael Abitong for starting and tending the sacred fire, which burns from 7:00am to 7:00 pm, sunrise to sunset, on May 5 to honour all of the women, girls, and their families. Nina played her drum and sang an honour song to commemorate the Walk and the day; a song that spirit also inspired in her. She was wearing her customary ribbon skirt bearing the red handprint, symbolic of the MMIWG movement. The entire school participated in Nina’s Walk. They left the school grounds and marched around the surrounding blocks, assisted by Fire Chief Bruce Southwind, who ensured the safety of students at the crossroads and their return to school. It was an emotionally moving day, but one that brought staff and students together and encouraged remembrance. Some students wore red, while others painted their hands red as a symbolic gesture. Painted bristol board signs were carried overhead as they walked, delivering the message that they care and will continue the efforts towards healing, remembering, and building awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Nina said “chi miigwech” to her cousin Colleen Toulouse,and to Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik for inviting her to come to Sagamok. When the walk was complete, several people looked to the sky and saw an eagle flying over the school! It was there in acknowledgement that spirit recognizes the work being done and everyone’s participation and involvement.
