May 5, 2023 – for Red Dress Day, also known as Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Awareness Day, the Community Wellness department at Siloam Mission unveiled their Faceless Doll project. The art piece is a large blanket with an appliqué nighttime landscape and was created in collaboration of Indigenous staff and Community Members to commemorate those who have gone missing or been murdered. Under the light of the moon, dozens of appliqué dolls with ribbon skirts are evenly distributed all over the scene. The blanket art reminds us of the moon’s feminine energy; it shows us that those who have gone missing are not forgotten; and it brings hope by bringing awareness.

During the May 5^th unveiling, Knowledge Keeper Victoria McIntosh shared an Indigenous teaching about the significance of Medicine Blankets (Wa-bo-wan) and Cultural Coordinator, Kristin Schacht, sang a drum song to honour the Murdered and Missing as well as those affected. Community Members also shared about the recent losses they have experienced. As a Give Away, Siloam staff passed out art kits to community members to help them through and finished the event with offering a smudge to those who wished to participate.

There were many staff who attended the ceremony as well. It was a moment for us to reflect together on the tragedies that happen in our city, often in close proximity to the Siloam community. “Far too often Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit relatives go missing,” said Kristin Schacht who led the creation process of the Faceless Doll blanket. “This is a crisis that affects almost every Indigenous person in Canada in some way or another, so it was very important to find a way to come together and meaningfully observe Red Dress Day.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report’s Call to Action 41 requested that the Canadian Government do an inquiry into the MMIWG2S+ endemic. While the inquiry was completed in 2019, there is much work to be done on all levels of society and government to enact over 200 Calls for Justice listed within.

The Safely Reconnecting Art Project was intended to reconnect youth at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness, while adhering to public health recommendations, in the midst of Covid-19. This art project acted as an outlet for creative expression and as a way to connect with peers.

On August 11^th, 2020, participants met at The Forks to create the art installation by adhering single-use plastics to a pre-built frame structure. These plastics that usually pollute the environment were fashioned into a beautiful landscape design. The finished piece was displayed in The Forks Market until the end of September.

The initiative was thoughtfully designed by members of the President’s Student Leadership Program at the University of Manitoba: Shanelle Gingras, Keziah Brothers, Howard Monson, and Stephany Thach. The project received assistance from local Indigenous artist, Zac Poitras, and the Siloam Mission Art Program. Participants included youth from Siloam’s Exit Up!, the Eagle’s Nest, and others currently in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

The Madison is our supportive housing facility for those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Residents often face barriers to employment, have physical or cognitive disabilities, or live with mental illnesses.

Residents at The Madison often take part in creative and imaginative activities. From time to time, they will gather their art pieces to display their talents with the community.  

Please enjoy these throwback photos to a 2016 Madison art exhibition.

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