Surrey Schools recognizes Red Dress Day
Published 10:30 am Wednesday, May 6, 2026
A handful of Surrey schools honoured Red Dress Day in different and unique ways on May 5.
Red Dress Day is a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S) in Canada.
The annual remembrance was first held in 2010 and was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, an art installation of red dresses hanging in the wind to symbolize more than 1,000 Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada.
At École Salish Secondary, Surrey Schools says student leaders and the school’s newly established HOWL Committee – grounded in the values of Honour, Observe, Wonder and Learn – organized a number of initiatives for Red Dress Day as part of the committee’s goal to meaningfully support Indigenous students in and out of the classroom.
“Honouring Red Dress Day in Surrey Schools is an important part of our role as educators,” said Jamin Dhillon, the school’s Indigenous graduation advocate. “It goes beyond symbolism, as we feel it helps students build a deeper understanding of history, justice and their place in society.”
“Schools have a responsibility to recognize days like this,” said École Salish vice-principal Lorne Scott. “In today’s world, education cannot be just about academics, it’s also about preparing students to engage thoughtfully in the world around them.”
Surrey Schools says École Salish began their day with a neighbourhood march to raise awareness, with students and staff wearing red as a sign of remembrance and respect while also having the opportunity to express the importance of the day.
Following this march, students and staff unveiled an interactive art installation of a red dress, made by a staff member’s mother, inviting the school community to adorn it by writing messages of hope, appreciation and recognition.
Artwork by a group of Indigenous students was also shared throughout the school and transformed into stickers that were distributed to showcase the students’ creative voices.
Red dresses were also displayed throughout the school as a visual reminder of those whose lives were lost.
Classrooms at École Salish had teachers sharing informative presentations with age-appropriate discussions about the significance of Red Dress Day as well as tackling the broader context surrounding it.
Surrey School says all of this was in continued efforts to pursue truth and reconciliation in Canada.
“Through these efforts, École Salish continues to build a community rooted in awareness, respect and acting, ensuring that important stories are honoured and never forgotten,” said Scott.
Other schools across the district also honoured Red Dress Day in different ways, including a community gathering at Xw’epiteng Elementary and traditional drumming at Clayton Heights Secondary.
Red Dress Day pins were also designed by students at École Kwantlen Park Secondary, each representing the memory of a local missing and murdered Indigenous woman, girl and two-spirited person.
Surrey Schools also shared resources for those who may be affected by loss or find this day triggering.
For immediate emotional assistance, call the government’s national, toll-free 24/7 crisis line 1-844-413-6649, or Crisis Services Canada at 9-8-8, or call the Indigenous-specific Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 for crisis counselling, including in some Indigenous languages.