Red Dress Installation

On May 6, Helanna Gessner, Curatorial, Collections and Exhibits Manager for the Diefenbaker Canada Centre and Marilyn Black, Indigenous Student Recruitment and Initiatives Coordinator for the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, were joined by Indigenous Elders and members of the University of Saskatchewan community to honour Red Dress Day and raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. Together the group installed an temporary outdoor exhibit of red dresses around the Diefenbaker Building that will remain in place until May 30th. 

We would like to thank Elder Roland Duquette, Elder Linda Sanderson, and Elder Joe Naytowhow for starting the event in a good way and guiding us in creating a space where people could share and remember. We would also like to thank Rachel Fiddler with the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre for joining us and sharing on the importance of Red Dress Day. 

Members of the Saskatoon community and visitors to campus are invited to contribute by adding a red ribbon to the installation. Ribbons are available in the Diefenbaker Building foyer Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm and Saturday 12-4:30pm.

On July 28, 1914, a global war commenced, lasting longer than anyone anticipated, creating devastating loss and destruction. At this time, the University of Saskatchewan was only a few years old and had yet to acquire a significant voice and population, leaving the Great War to heavily impact the process of growth and partially shape the institution that it would become.  

350 University of Saskatchewan students, staff, and faculty went overseas to join the war effort. Many of these people had significant roles in leading and raising battalions, running education programs for soldiers, and earning medals of valor in defining moments of battle. Back home, groundbreaking research was taking place, soldiers were being supported, and the university experienced a significant gender imbalance that allowed women to gain a voice.  

This Year marks the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  This was thought of as a defining moment in Canadian history as all four Canadian corps fought together on their own for the first time and claimed victory; the only allied victory of 1917. On Friday April 12 and Saturday April 13th, join the Diefenbaker Canada Centre on an outdoor, 90 minute walking tour of campus to learn more about the significant role the university played overseas and on the Homefront through highlighted students and staff stories, campus memorials, and historic building stops.  

Please Note: This is an extensive outdoor walking tour that will take approximately 90 minutes. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. There will be opportunities to stop inside buildings, but most of the tour is outside.   This tour discusses the impact of the war on campus and will discuss loss and destruction to some degree, which may not be suitable for younger audiences.

For more information, please contact Diefenbaker Canada Centre dief.centre@usask.ca 

Cost: $15.00 (+tax) per person

Date and Times:

Friday April 12, 2024: 12:00 - 1:30pm

Saturday April 13, 2024: 12:00 - 1:30pm

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