Indigenous

Raising awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women through song

Ottawa musician Amanda Rheaume is raising awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women with her new single, Red Dress, featuring vocals by Chantal Kreviazuk.

Proceeds from Amanda Rheaume's song Red Dress will go to NWAC program

Mi’kmaq dancer Aria Evans is featured in Amanda Rheaume's music video for Red Dress. (Still from YouTube)
Ottawa musician Amanda Rheaume is raising awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women with her new single, Red Dress, which features vocals by Chantal Kreviazuk. The song is from Rheaume's new album Holding Patterns.

The song examines how there are two sides to every story.  According to a press release, it is a reaction to those who blame the victims, without considering the impact that years of colonization have had on indigenous women.

Mi'kmaq dancer Aria Evans is featured in the music video, dancing in a snow-covered forest with red dresses hanging from trees.

All proceeds of the single will go to the Native Women's Association of Canada's Safety and Violence Prevention Program.

Proceeds from Amanda Rheaume's new single will go to NWAC's safety and violence protection program. (Sean Sisk Photography)

Rheaume is Métis, and she explores her heritage in her 2013 album Keep a Fire. In the album's title track she sings about the controversial, mixed-race relationship between her Ojibwe great-grandmother and European great-grandfather who lived in exile in northern Manitoba. 

Rheaume has previously used her music to raise awareness and funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa, Babes4Breasts and families of military personnel.