One year ago, Edmonton was shaken by the tragic deaths of Carolann Robillard, 35, and her daughter Jayden Miller, 11, who were brutally stabbed to death in a random attack in the Mill Woods neighborhood. On the anniversary of their passing, loved ones joined thousands across the country for Red Dress Day, a national event honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.
Donna Robillard, Carolann’s mother, expressed her family’s strength and the support they’ve received during this difficult time. Recalling the day she learned of her loved ones’ deaths while attending Red Dress Day last year, she shared the profound impact it had on her.
The faces of Carolann and Jayden were visible throughout the crowd, adorning pins, sweaters, and posters. Tanisha Miller, Carolann’s daughter and Jayden’s sister, spoke about the surreal feeling of seeing her family members represented in this way while being painfully aware of their absence.
Hundreds gathered for the annual Red Dress Day march, which included a spontaneous round dance. The event aimed to raise awareness about the alarming number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. Lena Daniels, an advocate for this cause, emphasized the urgent need to address this crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals.
As the march progressed through downtown Edmonton, participants held high dozens of posters bearing the names and pictures of missing and murdered loved ones. Many marchers shared their personal experiences of loss, including Kelly Alook, who carried a photo of his brother Terence, who went missing in 2016. Daniels marched with a poster of Audrey Beaver, her daughter’s grandmother, who has been missing for three and a half years.
Despite the support and solidarity demonstrated at these events, marchers acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the day. Amanda Robillard, Carolann’s sister, expressed her ongoing grief and frustration at the lack of justice for her family’s loss.
