Trinity College School students have worked to raise awareness of two important days that draw attention to human rights issues in recent weeks. Trinity Students for Social Justice (TSSJ) organized public art activities related to Denim Day and the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People. 

In conjunction with Senior School Arts Week, on Wednesday, April 24th, TSSJ hosted a “Make a Mark” art activity in Cirne Commons where students and staff were invited to help decorate jeans to mark the 25th anniversary of Denim Day. TSSJ also encouraged students and staff to wear jeans to show support for survivors of sexual violence and highlight the importance of education on issues surrounding all forms of sexual violence. Visit denimday.org to learn more about the history and importance of Denim Day.

On May 7th, TSSJ organized an installation of red dresses in Cirne Commons to mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People. Officially held on May 5th, this is also known as Red Dress Day. The garments hanging throughout the commons served as a reminder of the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to violence. The day was inspired by the REDress Project by Métis artist Jaime Black, who hung empty red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women, and bring attention to this crisis of gender-based and racialized violence.

Thank you to the members of TSSJ for highlighting these two important days and bringing focus to these issues.