South Shore Grade 9 class needs your red dresses.
The students at North Queens Community School are gathering the garments to mark International Women’s Day.
It’s also to bring attention to missing and murdered indigenous women, which red dresses have come to symbolize.
“Students are making an art installation in three locations throughout their community with some fact cards that they’re putting together to share with the community to share with them the issues of murdered and missing indigenous women,” says Ramey.
Ramey traveled to Winnipeg recently where she saw a display from the RED Dress Project.
She brought photos and information back to her students to discuss in their Grade 9 Citizenship Education class.
“We’ve seen a full wave of emotions, some kids are really angered by the fact that this takes place in our country,” says Ramey. “Others have a deep sense of loss or sadness for people who have experienced that in their own families and communities.”
Ramey says at the same time, the Mi’kmaq Student Service Coordinator with the South Shore Regional Centre for Education was also planning red dress events.
A group of teachers are gathering to involve other high schools in the South Shore region so installations will be located across Lunenburg and Queens counties.
Red dresses are still needed for the displays and donations are being taken.
The displays will be launched the week before International Women’s Day (March 8).
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca