Red Dress Alert Pilot Project

In October 2024, Giganawenimaanaanig was entrusted with leading the development and implementation of a pilot Red Dress Alert System in Manitoba.

The proposed alert system will quickly mobilize police and other agencies, Indigenous governments and organizations, service providers, and the general public in the critical hours and days after a community or family member is reported missing.

In 2025, Giganawenimaanaanig completed a multi-stage engagement process with impacted families, Indigenous governments, organizations, public institutions, and with the wider community.

The engagement process examined what currently happens when a person is reported missing; the strengths and capacities that can be mobilized at the local level; and the changes that must be made to ensure an effective, rapid, and coordinated response and follow-up.

Input from the process was instrumental for identifying the needs and challenges that must be addressed when developing a new alert system. The Red Dress Alert What We Heard Report can be downloaded below by clicking the link below.

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Download the Red Dress Alert What We Heard Report (PDF)

Our communities have made it clear. The Red Dress Alert must be:

Indigenous-led, trauma-informed and culturally safe
Adequately resourced to meet the distinct needs of each region
Developed to support families and communities through the entire process, regardless of how long the process takes
supported by police, government agencies, and community partners who have a responsibility to protect us
Implemented immediately
 

Our forthcoming report outlines these requirements in addition to key obligations that the Government of Canada and Manitoba must adhere to the implementation of the Red Dress Alert system to be effective.

The Final Report was released on November 25, 2025 on the National Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Red Dress Alert Final Report can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

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Download the Red Dress Alert Final Report (PDF)

The project is stewarded by Giganawenimaanaanig staff with the support of First Nation and Métis Bundle Carriers from various regions of Manitoba who are committing to keeping the Red Dress Alert Indigenous-led, respectful, rooted in cultural competency, community empowerment and trauma-informed healing for justice.

Families of missing women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons have also contributed photos of their loved ones to a memory table that has travelled with the Giganawenimaanaanig throughout the project as a sacred way to honour their memories.​​