Red Ribbon Skirt Society to Host Inaugural Red Dress Gala
On May 5th, 2023 the Red Ribbon Skirt Society will be hosting its first ever Red Dress Gala at the Holiday Day Plaza located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Red Ribbon Skirt Society was founded in 2016 by Lily Mendoza in efforts to bring about awareness and education on the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and Two-Spirit.
“We work with families across South Dakota and beyond, helping and supporting them as they navigate through the grieving process”, Mendoza states.
The Red Ribbon Skirt Society helps with financial support to MMIW families for such things as; Food for traditional wake services and funerals, search and rescue support and travel expenses to help bring her home. “There are instances where families and funerals homes that work with tribes can’t afford the total cost to transport the victim home for burial”, we help with those expenses when we can”, Mendoza Shares.
“We have also help with travel expenses when a MMIW, Human Trafficked and Run-away women or young girl is located safe, and families need help with travel assistance to get her to her family”.
The Red Ribbon Skirt Society spreads awareness and education on the MMIW crisis by presenting at schools, colleges, community organizations and conferences. The RRSS also has created training for communities called MMIW 101, this training helps communities look at building partnerships that can help when a woman goes missing. The training looks at an Indigenized way of working in community on this crisis. Funding from Native Hope has been instrumental in helping the RRSS through their fellowship program.
One of best parts of going to a gala is a chance to dress up. Expect to see beautiful ribbon skirts and gala dresses at the event. Fashion Designer Tosa Two Heart will be there. Her models will be wearing dresses dedicated to the MMIW movement. The print on material will adorn sayings such as. “No More Stolen Sister”, “Say Her Name”, and other quotes. These dresses designed by Tosa can only be purchased at the Gala. All proceeds from the sale of dresses will go to RRSS.
At this year’s Red Dress Gala featured speakers include six families of MMIW. They will share their loved one’s story and how they are healing from their loss.
Other guest speakers include.
Sita Baker Red Ribbon Skirt Society Ambassador Nominee to the Young Women’s Cabinet in the state of Minnesota and National Cabinet in Washington DC. Grace Baker Red Ribbon Skirt Society Ambassador- Social Justice Advocate in Minneapolis. Tosa Two Heart Red Ribbon Skirt Society, “Bring Her Home’, Talk.
The Gala dinner will be prepared by The Sioux Chef Sean Sherman owner of Owamni. Owamni by The Sioux Chef is a restaurant in Minneapolis featuring Native American foods, with a specific focus on the foods of the Dakota peoples whose sacred land on which we are standing. The Red Ribbon Skirt Society is honored to have Sean Sherman on board for this event.
Agenda and event activities
Silent auction, Give-aways, Music.
6: pm-7:00 pm-Social Gathering and Silent Auction
7: pm -Silent Auction closes at 7:00pm
7:00pm-9pm Dinner Speakers. Silent Auction winners and giveaways.
The Red Ribbon Skirt Society would like to thank their corporate sponsors. Oglala Tribal Education Agency, Cheyenne River Youth Project, Robert and Rebecca Pohlad, Hogan House Studio (Larissa Fast Horse) Great Plains Tribal Leadership Health Board, Thunder Valley, After School Alliance, Division of Indian Work, Drs. Tucker-Kudrna-Holec-Young, Native Hope, Perry Kudrna, Dakota Charitable Foundation, Unify Home Lending Inc., Avera Health, Synchrony, Kujira, Wild Idea, The HomeSlice Media Group, Marin Community Foundation, Wild Idea and The Dignity Initiative, Inc.
Tickets can be purchase on Eventbrite look for Inaugural Red Dress Gala
Find us on Facebook Red Ribbon Skirt Society
For more information 605-431-8231
The Red Ribbon Skirt Society is a project of the non-profit Shamus Project Inc.
The post Red Ribbon Skirt Society to Host Inaugural Red Dress Gala first appeared on Native Sun News Today.
Shared by: Native Sun News Today
May 3, 2023