The second annual Red Dress Run was a success, according to founder Alana Morrison.
Morrison started the event last year on Red Dress Day to raise awareness and funds for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Thunder Bay.
“I’m a crier, so I’ve been in and out of tears all day,” Morrison said. “The donations that have come in, the support, the drumming, the food, the water. Everything has been donated and it just came together so perfectly.”
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) took part in the run. The route begins at the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground and loops around the entire lake, with participants able to walk or run.
Morrison has worked for NAPS for the last 20 years.
“This came to be as a vision. I wanted to honour the missing and murdered in Thunder Bay, and I usually run, so I just combined everything. I am not only honoured to hold an event like this, but just so touched by the compassion from the community,” Morrison said.
Morrison estimated over 100 participants showed up for the run, despite sub-zero morning temperatures and even flurries of snow.
“The City of Thunder Bay has been so supportive. As an Indigenous woman myself here in Canada, I have experienced racism. I have experienced some unpleasantries while being in the country. But it doesn’t stop me from trying to stand up for my sisters that have gone missing or been murdered,” she said.
Alana’s daughter Tawnee Thompson is a lead organizer of the event. She said her mother realized there are many injustices towards Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people during her time with the force.
“We have Deborah Anishinabe in mind, actually,” Thompson said. “she’s quite recent in the news, and she lost her life very tragically. We were looking to make a donation to her family.”
Deborah Anishinabe was declared missing on December 5, 2024. On December 18, the missing persons case ended, and the Thunder Bay Police Service charged a 24-year-old man with indignity to a human body. Police in Thunder Bay never officially confirmed the cases were connected, but the Nishnawbe Aski Nation linked the death and charge.
Alana Morrison says she plans on continuing the Red Dress Run next year on Red Dress Day. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.
