RED — Remember-Educate-Dedicate — artwork now on display at Nunavut’s legislative assembly
A travelling art installation that explores the Nunavummiut perspective on May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People, welcomed three new works Monday.
Titled RED, which stands for Remember-Educate-Dedicate, the art installation focuses on the remembrance of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls through the lens of Nunavut artists. The installation was organized by the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.
Anisya Noanikhok Todd of Iqaluit unveiled a digital painting titled “Iqaqtuiji” at the RED art installation in the foyer of the legislative assembly on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Kerry McCluskey)
“For many of us, this is a painful day that reminds us how precious our lives as Inuit women are,” said Margaret Nakashuk, Nunavut’s minister responsible for the status of women, during her address at the RED art installation in the foyer of the legislative assembly Monday.
The national observance is also known as Red Dress Day, which originated in 2010 when Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette’s REDress Project hung red dresses in public places to remind Canadians of the number of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and LGBTQ people who have been murdered or have gone missing in Canada.
Unveiled a year ago, RED sought to provide an outlet for creative expression, as well as a space to process and feel, Nakashuk said.
RED has since been showcased at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum last fall, in Ottawa at the Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference, and has been on display at the legislative assembly lobby for close to two months.
“Because of the incredible response Qulliit has received, the council decided to expand the project and ensure there were new pieces added annually,” Nakashuk said.
The new works include Cooper Braid Qaurutik, made by Arviat’s Nooks Lindell, with beading by Lori Tagoona Randall; Iqaqtuiji, a digital painting by Anisya Noanikhok Todd of Iqaluit; and MMIW, made by the clients and staff of Iqaluit’s Qimaavik Women’s Shelter.
RED, including the new additions, will be showcased with artist descriptions on www.redNU.ca in the coming days.
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