Manitoba’s Red Dress Alert System Progresses Toward Implementation
Manitoba’s initiative for a Red Dress Alert system, led by Indigenous groups, is advancing as the final report detailing its operation has been released. This alert system is designed to respond when a woman, girl, or 2SLGBTQIA+ individual is reported missing, aiming to be more than just a basic phone notification.
Initiated by a unanimous House of Commons motion in May 2023, declaring the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls a national emergency, the Red Dress Alert system has garnered support for federal funding.
In collaboration with federal and provincial authorities, Giganawenimaanaanig, in partnership with Indigenous groups, is set to oversee the development of the Red Dress Alert system, which will function as a public alert mechanism for missing Indigenous individuals.
Denise Cook, the project lead, emphasized the importance of community engagement in shaping the system, highlighting the feedback from over 1,000 survey responses and forty-three engagement sessions conducted across Manitoba.
Acknowledging the diverse needs of communities, Cook emphasized the necessity for the alert system to be accessible beyond smartphones due to limited cell service and internet connectivity in some areas.
The implementation timeline for the Red Dress Alert system aims to commence planning in January 2026, with a projected launch in June 2026, with ongoing assessments to ensure its effectiveness.