REDress Day is observed on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit people. In this activity, students will create a spider map that highlights important facts about REDress Day. By using a 5Ws graphic organizer, students can easily answer questions like who, what, when, where, and why. In this case, students may also answer the question "how?"
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a Spider Map highlighting important facts about MMIWG2S.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Answers to 5 questions about the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S as well as appropriate illustrations for each.
Start your lesson by inviting students to share what they know about REDress Day and why it matters. This opens the door for thoughtful conversation and helps students connect emotionally to the topic.
Show students images or short videos related to REDress Day, such as photos of red dresses displayed in public spaces. Visuals and primary sources make the history more tangible and encourage curiosity.
Ask students to design their own red dress cutouts and write a fact or message about MMIWG2S on each. Display these in the classroom or hallway to raise awareness and foster a sense of community.
Encourage students to write a short reflection on what they learned about REDress Day and how they can honor the stories of MMIWG2S. This promotes empathy and personal engagement with the topic.
Invite students to brainstorm ways they can spread awareness outside the classroom, such as making posters or sharing what they learned with family. Taking action helps students see the real-world impact of their learning.
The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit people (MMIWG2S) is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2 Spirit individuals in Canada and the United States.
REDress Day is observed to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2 Spirit people. The day uses red dresses as powerful symbols to represent those who are missing and to bring attention to this critical issue.
People participate by displaying red dresses in public spaces, organizing educational events, creating art, and engaging in discussions to remember victims and support change for Indigenous communities.
REDress Day is commonly observed on May 5 across Canada and in some U.S. communities, with events taking place in schools, public buildings, and community centers.
Teachers can use a 5Ws spider map activity where students answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions, then create illustrations to deepen understanding of MMIWG2S and REDress Day.