Dryden Native Friendship Centre Staff, photo provided.
Downtown Dryden is wrapped in red this week in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The Dryden Native Friendship Centre has been hosting events and workshops this week in honour of the National Day for Action on Monday October 4.
“We also hung these red ribbons along with some pictures and stories of women that have been affected,” explains Cheryl Edwards, Executive Director of the Dryden Native Friendship Centre. “Those individuals, we definitely want to bring awareness to the violence they’ve experienced.”
Edwards stresses a disproportionate number of Indigenous women experience violence, compared to non-Indigenous women.
“They (Indigenous women) are seven times more likely to be murdered and I believe they are 14 times more likely to experience violence. This is something we really want to bring awareness to and highlight the resources that are available in the community such as Hoshizaki House and the Dryden Friendship Centre as well.”
One of the many ribbons and photos in downtown Dryden. Staff Photo.
Violence against Indigenous women and girls is an ongoing issue across Canada but Edwards adds also right here in Northwestern Ontario.
Artist Jeremy Kakepetum painting a mural at DNFC honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Photo Provided.
