Red handprints on canvas, red dresses, and open participation paintings were part of the Timmins Native Friendship Centre's (TNFC) observance of Red Dress Day.
Today (May 5) is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).
More than 100 people were at the friendship centre for the local ceremony, which opened with a sacred fire, prayers and speeches outdoors, followed by further activities in the gym.
There was also a presentation highlighting the identities of the MMIWG2S people at the heart of these tragedies, and statements and statistics on the TNFC walls about the issues at hand.
The colour red was strongly featured throughout as a symbol of spiritual significance and communal call.
"Red is a colour spirits can see, which means it can be noticed by the loved ones and friends who have been lost to us," said Jaylin Renaud, one of the TNFC staffers who organized the event.
