05/25/2026
From May 5 to June 6: Confronting the crisis facing Indigenous communities
Written by Shaneeka Forrester, Cree artist, mother and advocate from Brunswick House First Nation, planting roots in Simcoe County, Ontario.
By now, many of us are familiar with the significance of May 5, a day dedicated to honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ people. If you are not, here is a brief overview.
May 5 was first recognized through the REDress Project, created in 2010 by artist Jamie Black at the University of Winnipeg. What began as an art installation featuring empty red dresses symbolizing the absence of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) quickly grew into a national movement. Through the efforts of grassroots organizations and community members, the crisis gained widespread attention, ultimately leading to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. On June 3, 2019, the Inquiry released its final report, which included 231 Calls to Justice aimed at addressing systemic issues across all levels of society.
A lesser-known but equally important date of awareness is June 6, known as Blue Jean Jacket Day. This grassroots initiative was created to highlight the ongoing crisis of Missing, Murdered, and Exploited Indigenous Men and Boys (MMEIMB). Although Statistics Canada reports that Indigenous men are four times more likely than Indigenous women to be victims of homicide, their experiences remain significantly underrepresented.
Indigenous men and boys hold vital roles within their communities, contributing to cultural continuity, family well-being and the strength of future generations. Yet the violence they face receives little media attention. Blue Jean Jacket Day seeks to change that by creating space for dialogue, visibility, and collective awareness. On June 6, wear your blue jean jacket and help bring attention to the urgent and often overlooked crisis affecting Indigenous men and boys.
Together, May 5 and June 6 remind us that the safety, visibility and dignity of all Indigenous peoples must remain a shared responsibility.