In recognition of Red Dress Day, Desiree Theriault from Narratives Inc. had the privilege to engage in a profound conversation with Fallon Farinacci, a passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2S folk (MMIWG2S+). Fallon, a Red River Métis, recognized through her spirit name, White Thunder Woman, has dedicated her life to raising awareness and fostering change in the face of immense personal tragedy. Her voice has become a powerful beacon in the struggle against violence targeting Indigenous women, reflecting her deep commitment to justice and healing within her community.
Desirée Thériault:
What does Red Dress Day mean to you?
Fallon Farinacci:
For me, it means a few different things. It's about coming together to bring awareness, to honour those who have been murdered or are missing, and to honour the family members that are grieving and working through the process of losing or having lost a loved one. It means community coming together.
There’s the side of deep sadness, anger, all those deep feelings, and then there's the other side of it, of community and strength and standing up for what is right. It’s this odd place to be because, you have both ends of it, and it’s finding a balance between mourning and activism that is crucial. Healing isn’t linear.
Desirée Thériault: Can you talk a little bit about your journey and becoming an advocate for MMIWG2S+?
Fallon Farinacci: It’s a privilege to be able to be an advocate for MMIWG2S+. And with that, there is a lot of responsibility. That's how I look at it. It’s a way to get me through my own trauma and my own thoughts and worries of being a statistic. I find it hard to call it a privilege because I am still here, and it shouldn't be a privilege to be the one surviving and advocating. It's my responsibility to honour those who have gone missing and have been murdered. Advocacy isn't just about speaking up; it's about honouring those lost and giving a voice to those who can't speak for themselves. So, I just look at it as a responsibility to honour those who have gone missing and who have been murdered.
D: What role do allies play in the movement for justice for MMIWG2S+?
You're the other people at the kitchen table. You are part of the ripple effect. Imagine a wave in the water, waves do not stop - they keep going.
F: So your allyship has to continue, and it can’t pick up when the tide is strong and heavy, you constantly have to be there moving that wave along to have strong allyship. As allies, you have a privilege to speak up and bring awareness to those around you. It’s about continuous support and the need for allies to educate themselves and engage in meaningful actions.
D: How can we be better allies?
F: I always say change happens at the kitchen table. And I always say you have to read the Calls for Justice.
The Calls for Justice are broken down into understandable parts that aren't bogged down by legal jargon—they tell people's real stories. And it was done in a way that is readable and accessible. It's filled with stories. Read them and sit with them. Allies have networks of people that have the capacity to implement these calls for justice, so take the time to network, to learn, to grow, and to share.
It’s also important, as allies, that when you're thinking about MMIWG2S+, you see past the statistic. Remember all of the beautiful parts as well. While you move through your advocacy, know who it is, the type of folks that you're fighting for, the beauty in cultures and traditions, and the effects that it has on everyone in the community. That's really important too. People often think of one individual who has gone missing or was murdered, and it stops there, and you forget the impact one person can have. They have families, they have friends, they have loved ones, but they were so much more than that. They were parts of their community. They were the ones who maybe helped out in their community. There is so much more to these statistics, these are real stories, real people, who had a ripple effect on their communities. So remembering all the beautiful parts, I think that really helps as well. It brings it back to humanity.
As we reflect on the powerful words and the journey of Fallon Farinacci, here are ways you can engage and contribute to the cause of MMIWG2S+:
Educate Yourself and Others
Start by learning more about the issues facing Indigenous women and girls. Read reports, watch documentaries, and listen to the stories of survivors and advocates. Knowledge is a powerful tool in fighting ignorance and prejudice.
Participate in Red Dress Day
Annually on May 5th, participate in or support events related to Red Dress Day. Wear a red dress or a red shirt to raise awareness and show solidarity with the families and communities affected by these tragedies.
Support Indigenous-Led Organizations
Donate to or volunteer with organizations that are working directly to support MMIWG2S+ families and communities. Your support helps fund essential services and advocacy efforts.
Advocate for Policy Change
Contact your local and national representatives to demand action and support for the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG. Advocacy can lead to policy changes that better protect Indigenous women and girls.
Spread the Word
Use your own social media platforms to share information, post about the cause, and amplify Indigenous voices. The more people know about the issue, the harder it becomes to ignore.
Create Space for Indigenous Voices
If you are in a position of influence in educational, corporate, or community settings, facilitate opportunities for Indigenous people to speak on issues that affect their communities. Listen respectfully and take their lead on how best to support their efforts.
Each action you take makes a difference and contributes to a larger wave of change. Join us in honouring the lives of the missing and murdered and in supporting the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities. Together, we can create a future where Indigenous women and girls are safe, respected, and celebrated.
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Fallon Farinacci is a Red River Métis woman, known by her spirit name, White Thunder Woman, who channels her voice into advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Her journey into advocacy was catalyzed by personal tragedy—both of her parents were murdered in 1993 while she and her brothers were at home in St. Eustache, Manitoba. This harrowing experience, compounded by the subsequent suicides of her two brothers, instilled in her a profound commitment to addressing these issues.
In 2017, Fallon testified at the National Inquiry for MMIWG, sharing her story to bring awareness to the systemic issues affecting Indigenous communities. She has since become a pivotal figure in promoting community resilience and healing. Fallon initiated the annual Celebrate Indigenous Resilience Red Dress May 5th walk in 2022, significantly impacting awareness and fundraising efforts for Indigenous charities.
Through her public speaking and vibrant social media presence, Fallon continues to educate, inspire, and advocate for change, making significant strides in the fight against the ongoing genocide of Indigenous women across Turtle Island.