‘Have to bring action’: MMIWG exhibit unveiled at RCMP Heritage Centre

An exhibit honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was unveiled at the RCMP Heritage Centre. (Mick Favel / CTV News)

The RCMP Heritage Museum unveiled a new exhibit honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The art projected is titled Togetherness.

Tracey George Heese and Justine “Tini” Stillborn created the project with the help of students from Regina.

Over 100 handmade dresses make up the piece which is placed in a similar formation of the Canadian flag.

“This workshop is about bringing awareness. When we bring awareness, we also have to bring action,” Heese said.

“I feel like the more people are aware of this issue in Canada, the more people can help,” she added.

Stillborn said the title of Togetherness could mean many things, particularly among Canadians who share the same history.

“Whether it’s positive or negative. Whether or not we are honest and truthful about that history, we still share it,” she said.

“Whatever you call yourself, it doesn’t have to be Canadian. But you have to recognize that we still share a history,” she concluded.

The RCMP Heritage Centre has a strategic plan in place to address truth and reconciliation.

The Togetherness project is one of a few projects the centre has shown pertaining to Indigenous life in Canada.

“It’s really an honour for us to be able to facilitate and create these programs to ensure that students are learning,” said Sam Karikas, the CEO of the RCMP Heritage Centre.

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“We are hoping that we can help students see the ways in which we can all create a better future together,” she added.

The creators of the exhibit hope those who see the piece view it as a memorial, as well a way to move forward.

The exhibit will be on display until August.