Rae Bennett at a photo shoot for Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
May 10, 2022 - 1:00 PM
Indigenous models in vibrant red garments gathered on a grassy hill in Kamloops last week to raise awareness of an ongoing crisis.
May 5 was the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender diverse people, more simply known as Red Dress Day. Red dresses are worn to draw attention to the more than 1,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
Model and artist Kel-C Jules at a photo shoot for Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Kamloops-based photographer, Devan Grace Storey, snapped numerous photos of the many models who showed up to the special gathering. It was a rainy day and the models were barefoot on traditional secwepemc territory.
“My vision was using the beauty of photography to bring awareness to this significant day and cause,” Storey said. “It was cold and raining, but this didn't bother the models, they were strong, empowered women really wanting to raise awareness.”
Indigenous model Tanya Hall at a photo shoot for Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Rae Bennett, as shown on the cover art, tragically lost her mom on Highway 16, otherwise known as the Highway of Tears in 1997.
She is an educational assistant who raises awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women by sharing her late mother's story.
READ MORE: Kamloops resident becomes voice for her mom who died on Highway of Tears
"Every year more Indigenous women are murdered and go missing,” she said. “Teaching girls how to love themselves, be aware of their surroundings and to have the confidence to stick up for themselves will help them be the change.”
Karylanne Bennett modelling for Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Jessika Myers modelling a red dress for a photo shoot on Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Kamloops resident Bella Walker modelling for Red Dress Day at a photo shoot in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Tammy LaFleur modelling in a photo shoot for Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Devan Grace Photography
Model Pandy Duplessis posing for a shoot on Red Dress Day in Kamloops, May 5.
(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)
To see full-sized original photos and more by Devan Grace Photography click here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022