In response to the Calls for Justice from the Final Report into Missing Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit Peoples.. inspired by the Students Tending the Fire anti-racism video.. and informed by the data from the SD8 Kootenay Lake Equity Scan for Aboriginal Learners to amplify Indigenous Student and Indigenous community voice.. SD8 Kootenay Lake Aboriginal Education District Aboriginal Team is inviting Aboriginal Education students (grade 10, 11, 12), Indigenous staff, and Indigenous community members to engage with the following project: 

What: Red Handprint photo series – inspiration from red handprint photos of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island 

Purpose: To bring awareness to the MMIWG2S cause in Canada, to engage in dialogue with allies, and to honour National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S - May 5th 2022, also known as Red Dress Day. 

Who: SD8 Kootenay Lake Aboriginal Education students, Indigenous staff, Indigenous community members. We are aiming for 30 photographs. 

When: 12 April (Crawford Bay, Kaslo), 13 April (Crescent Valley, Nelson), 14 April (Salmo, Creston). Ab Ed students, Indigenous staff, and Indigenous community members will be invited to a photograph session to get a photo done with a red handprint over their mouth. There will be five photo shoot slots for each location. Group photos are encouraged. Please register with Jesse Halton – jesse.halton@sd8.bc.ca   250.505.4396

Education: The District Aboriginal Team has compiled a list of resources and possible classroom activites for Primary, Intermediate, and Secondary classes to help bring awareness into classrooms in SD8 Kootenay Lake. Much of the content is based on the Their Voices Will Guide Us Education Guide. We hope educators will engage with this dialogue and this awareness as allies in our community. Please see the attachment below.

The photo series will be displayed at all SD8 Kootenay Lake high schools, and SD8 Kootenay Lake School Board Office.