Red Dress Day unveiled new efforts into the investigation of Tatyanna Harrison's death and a new database into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ Peoples.
Content Warning: this article mentions death, abuse and violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit Peoples. Help and support are available at Hope for Wellness 's helpline: 1-855-242-3310
Tatyanna Harrison is one of the many Missing & Murdered Women, Girls and Two Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S) whose death has been unsolved.
The 20-year-old was found dead in Richmond on a docked yacht in May 2022. Her death was ruled as fentanyl caused, with a later report from the B.C. coroner saying she died from sepsis. Her loved ones were told that there was no criminal aspect to Harrison’s death.
Harrison’s mother, Natasha, has been vocal about how her daughter and other MMIWG2S cases were handled poorly. This mishandling included a 20-day delay in searching for Harrison after she disappeared from downtown Vancouver, because the file was unnecessarily transferred between Surrey and Vancouver police jurisdictions. Harrison was found naked from the waist down and did not have a rape exam kit administered. Still, the case was deemed not criminal.
Harrison is one of three high-profile deaths involving young Indigenous Peoples that are under criticism. Chelsea Poorman and Noelle O’Soup are women whose deaths are also unsolved, whose families have asked for an inquest.
Dr. Jatinder Biadwan, chief coroner of the B.C. The Coroners Service announced in a statement Tuesday that it is beginning a coroner's inquest into the death of Harrison. An advocacy group working with the Harrison, Poorman and O’Soup families said that Harrison's death should be ruled as “undetermined,” as governed by an independent forensic pathologist.
Sue Brown is the staff lawyer and director of advocacy at Justice for Girls. Brown says the inquest has been a long wait, but a long time coming for the Harrison family. Alongside the inquest is a recent CBC investigation that revealed the Office of Police Complaints Commissioner is reviewing the police response to the Harrison, Poorman, and O’Soup cases.
Monday, May 5, marked Red Dress Day, the national day of remembrance and awareness for MMIWG2S.
The term ‘Red Dress Day’ was coined by Jaime Black, a Metis artist, through their work The REDress Project. The Red Dress symbol, often hung in parks, storefronts, monuments and more, represents the pain and loss that survivors and loved ones feel. Black chose the colour Red after a conversation with a friend who said it is the only colour spirits can see and can be a way to call for the MMIWG2S spirits back to their loved ones.
According to the Canadian Institute of Health Research, more than 63 per cent, that is six in ten Indigenous women, have experienced assault, either physical or sexual, within their lives. This is a direct consequence of colonialism and inequitable access to healthcare and treatment.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ Peoples was part of Call to Action 41 that calls for an investigation into MMIWG2S and remedies for the disproportionate victimization and violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit Peoples.
Alongside the announcement on May 5 of the coroner's inquest into Harrison's death, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, in collaboration with Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, the Ontario Native Women’s Association, and Two Spirits in Motion Society, announced a project to develop Canada’s first national database dedicated to tracking cases of MMIWG2S Peoples.
The database will be compiled from various public sources and expanded into community outreach in Indigenous communities. It will be a tool to advocate for systematic and policy change within Canada.
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Each red dress marks a life stolen. Today, on Red Dress Day, we stand with Indigenous communities, remembering, listening, and calling for justice. The day started with a sunrise ceremony. And later, I was honoured to joins folks at the @NativeCentre. Miigwetch. Niá:wen. ❤️
Tatyanna Harrison, Chelsea Poorman and Noelle O’Soup are young Indigenous women and an Indigenous teenager, whose deceased bodies were discovered in close succession almost exactly three years ago under highly suspicious circumstances in Metro Vancouver. The three cases draw
“The investigations into the tragic deaths of Tatyanna, Chelsea and Noelle are shocking and shameful displays of systemic racial discrimination which showcase the enduring failures of the Canadian justice and child welfare systems. Indigenous peoples across the country were
This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. The red dress symbolizes lives lost and the continued efforts to address this issue. #RedDressDay #MMIWG2S
