Parish Reconciliation Team Raises Red Dresses for Community Awareness

For the third year, the Reconciliation Team of Immanuel, Wetaskiwin hung red dresses in a city park. These dresses are hung to remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit folk (MMWIG2S) and to raise awareness in the mindset of the local community. 

People from Immanuel parish were joined by community members, on Sunday, April 30, to smudge no fewer than 25 dresses and hang them in Diamond Jubilee Park. Bonny Graham, a member of the Reconciliation Team, led the smudge and prayers. 

About 40 community members came together at the Peace Cairn in Wetaskiwin, on May 5, to remember and mourn the MMIWG2S in Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis and surrounding communities. Gloria Rogers, a member of the Reconciliation Team, welcomed everyone and reminded us why we were there. Cheryl Montour and her sister Jolene Bonaise, rattle singers from Maskwacis, sang honour songs. The Rev. Hugh Matheson, rector of Immanuel, prayed for the community and for those who have been lost. 

The Reconciliation Team took down the red dresses on May 6 while promising to continue to raise awareness.

Pictured: the women who raised dresses in Jubilee Park; Gloria Rogers, Immanuel, Wetaskiwin Reconciliation Team, welcomes the community at the Peace Cairn in Jubilee Park; rattle singers Cheryl Montour and Jolene Bonaise offer honour songs; Bonny Graham smudges a red dress held by Elizabeth Graham and Madison Sanford.