Please take the time to have a listen to this beautiful song written and performed by talented Lena Daniels.
God Took You Home. “I think this really recognizes the pain that we all go through when we lose our loved ones, or if we’re still wondering where they are. We still look at their beds every day and look at the dust that’s on their beds, smelling their clothes, feeling the pain of them missing and wondering if they’re coming back. You know I just really feel that these words would really touch the hearts of all the people watching and listening”.
Every few years, I embark on a deeply emotional endeavor focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) issue. My latest project, titled Behind the Veil, aims to shed light on a topic that society has often skirted around - the plight of Indigenous women who have gone missing or have been tragically murdered in Canada.
Red Dress Day, May 5 is a significant annual event that commemorates and raises awareness for the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people in Canada. This day serves as a catalyst for educating and fostering understanding to ultimately eradicate violence aimed at Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse individuals.
Red Dress Day was inspired in 2010 by Jamie Black, a Métis artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Black's poignant art installation involved hanging hundreds of empty red dresses in public places. These dresses served as a powerful symbol, representing the tragic reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The choice of the color red was deliberate, symbolizing the lifeblood that unites all individuals and holding deep cultural significance in many Indigenous traditions. According to folklore, red is said to be the only color visible to spirits, allowing the vibrant hues of the dresses to help guide the spirits of the missing and murdered back to their grieving families.
A red hand symbolizing the MMIW movement covers the mouth, serving as a powerful representation of this increasingly recognized issue. This emblem honors the voices of countless missing sisters, echoing the overlooked absence of their presence. Moreover, it sheds light on the concerning silence prevailing within the realms of mainstream media and law enforcement, spotlighting the urgency of addressing this ongoing crisis.
Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-indigenous women to be victims of violence. Shockingly, from 2001 to 2014, the average homicide rates involving indigenous women were four times higher than those of non-indigenous women. Despite comprising only 4.3% of the population, indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, highlighting a deeply concerning trend that demands urgent attention.
This powerful image evokes a myriad of intense emotions — anguish, fear, rage, pain, and anger — stemming from the inaction in addressing this pressing issue. Each element captured within the frame serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences that arise when challenges are left unresolved.
For far too long, society has turned a blind eye to this pressing issue, opting to shroud it in secrecy (Behind the Veil) and shield it from public scrutiny. Year after year, an alarming number of indigenous individuals continue to face the harrowing reality of being either brutally murdered or mysteriously vanishing without a trace.
Lena Bobbie Chelsea Marion Daniels is a Woodland Cree Iskwew born in Thompson, Manitoba with her roots stemming from Peter Ballantyne First Nation. She is an advocate for MMIW and believes that Every Child Matters. Lena is a full time Building Operator and Musician as well as a Model. When Lena is not working she tends to her loving family. Lena hopes to empower the youth through her music. Along with her fashion shows teaching them to believe in themselves, step out of their shells and be Brave!
Lena looks stunning in her ensemble, styled with exquisite beaded Indigenous earrings crafted by the talented Montana Cardinal. The unique touch of a Custom MMIW Ribbon skirt, designed by Under_the_Night_Creations under the skilled hands of Deeanna Sutherland, adds a powerful statement to her outfit.. Liz, Keisha and Lena are all wearing Manitobah Mukluks
Here Lena is wearing a t-shirt remembering Carolann Robillard, 35, and 11-year-old Sara Miller, killed in a random attack in Edmonton on May 5th 2023.
Keisha Cardinal is a young indigenous woman who is looking very forward to seeing what her future awaits for her. She grew up around numerous indigenous peoples which whom she looked up to, as well as shaping her to be the person she is today.
Ever since she was a kid, she loved to express herself through creating art, which she would often times give away to her friends and family to show her appreciation for them.
Keisha hails from Chipewyan Praire First Nation but grew up in the small hamlet of Smith, Alberta.
Keisha radiates elegance as she proudly displays a remarkable pair of beaded Indigenous earrings by Montana Cardinal, perfectly harmonizing with Lena's own exquisite earrings. To complete her ensemble, Keisha dons a striking skirt crafted by Edna Buffalo, the talented designer behind the esteemed brand Mrs. FlyingBuffaloDesigns, honoring and raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Liz, Keisha and Lena are all wearing Manitobah Mukluks
Breanna Inkpen is a proud Métis woman from treaty 6. She has been representing indigenous designers all over Alberta. She is now proud to call herself an international model who recently walked in New York Fashion Week for Kaska Dena Designs.
Makeup artist for 12 years now Breanna has always had a passion for beauty and fashion.
Her goal is to spread positivity to uplift and teach the youth about confidence, self love and that you are not alone!
Breanna is a strong advocate for mental health awareness. Being the oldest sister of 13 siblings she teaches her siblings the importance of being safe in todays society and that a lot of our family and friends have been affected by MMIW. “Breaks my heart to know a lot of our sisters have been taken away from us due to being missing and no one taking the time to look for our indigenous women . This is still a problem to this day for our culture, we need to be more aware of this issue for our people and this photoshoot is to make people aware of that. I’m so honored to have been a part of such a powerful photoshoot. No more stolen sisters!!! Hiy hiy”
Bre is wearing a skirt that was beautifully handcrafted by Liz. In addition, she has adorned herself with striking long red hide earrings that were skillfully created by Jo Swampy.
Liz Pelland, “I am a Cree woman was born in Selkiirk Manitoba in the late fifties. I spent the last three years of my schooling at R.B. Russell in Winnipeg. I have always been interested in the art in high school;. I was in a theater group with the costumes department. I tried my hand at different types of crafts when I lived in Prince Edward Island. I took classes in Tole painting in the past two years and I renewed my interest in sewing.”
Liz, a talented designer, meticulously crafted this stunning skirt entirely on her own, showcasing her creativity and skill in every stitch. Liz, Keisha and Lena are all wearing Manitobah Mukluks
Owen Lloyd is First Nations Cree from treaty 8 territory and currently lives in treaty 6. He has been modelling since he was 15 and also dances. He wishes to inspire other indigenous young adults and youth to know that any dream is possible.
Brittany, Anishinaabe from Black River First Nation, Manitoba. Now resides in Edmonton, Alberta. Started her career in Business development and Networking. She felt the need to follow her dreams and become a TV/Film makeup artist. Her passion and drive led her to graduate Masters Makeup Artistry in 2020, while attending school she created Binny Cosmetics. She was doing fashion and designer photoshoots before she graduated. Her career as a makeup artist and entrepreneur skyrocketed. Brittany has been head makeup for multiple films and fashion shows. She has worked on Tv series, Brand campaigns, and music artists. She and her team worked at Western Canada Fashion Week as the only Indigenous team. Brittany wants her skill to be known as creative, innovative, and unique. Although her passion is in the film industry, what brings her joy is working with today’s Indigenous youth. Brittany has been a part of youth model conferences that boost our youths’ confidence to walk the runway.
Binny cosmetics is a 2-Spirit cosmetics brand created to inspire Indigi-queer youth to be uniquely themselves and to empower them to be creative with beauty and makeup to allow self expression. What sets her apart from other brands with the same image is that she is 2-Spirit and with her being the face of her company sharing her story, having similar struggles, she has created a safe place for Indigi-queer youth. A place where they can ask for guidance or advice. A place where they feel comfortable expressing their self expression for the first time
The profound essence of this photograph captures a mystical moment amidst the branches, revealing a poignant portrayal of a two-spirit silhouette intertwined with the tree, while the vivid red figure symbolizes a wandering soul searching for solace within the enigmatic stillness of the surroundings.