Missing Indigenous Person Notification Pilot

The Missing Indigenous Person Notification Pilot, often referred to as the Red Dress Alert, is exploring ways to alert the public when a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person is reported missing. The pilot aims to help communities in British Columbia (B.C.) respond more quickly and connect people with information and supports.

This work is part of the Province’s ongoing response to the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It is also Action 1.1 in B.C.'s Anti-Racism Action Plan (PDF, 4.6MB).

On this page

• About the pilot
• What the pilot will test
• How the alert service may work
• Pilot timeline
• Who is involved in the pilot
• Stay informed
• Contact us

About the pilot

The Province is working with Hawk Solutions, a B.C.-based technology company, to develop and test the pilot. Hawk Solutions will build alert features into its communications app, which is already used by:

• 98 First Nations and Indigenous organizations in B.C.
• More than 140 communities across Canada

The pilot supports B.C.'s response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. For many years, Indigenous families and advocates have called for a stronger response when Indigenous people go missing. These calls were reinforced by the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and by the House of Commons' 2023 recognition of the crisis as a Canada-wide emergency.

What the pilot will test

The pilot will test features that may help communities respond when a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person is reported missing, including:

• Alerts about missing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people
• Voluntary location sharing with trusted contacts
• A centralized toolkit with resources, supports and safety and prevention information

How the alert service may work

The pilot is exploring an alert feature within the existing Hawk Communications app. Other options for sharing alerts are also being explored. Feedback from engagement will help shape the final approach.

Pilot timeline

• Phase 1: Planning and broader engagement (months one to three)
• Phase 2: Community engagement currently underway (months three to eight)
• Phase 3: Development and testing (months six to 14)
• Phase 4: Training and pilot implementation (months 14 to 22)
• Phase 5: Evaluation and knowledge sharing (months 20 to 24)

Who is involved in the pilot

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Community Safety and Victim Services Branch is delivering the pilot in partnership with Hawk Solutions.

Indigenous partners, police and organizations involved in missing person responses are helping shape the pilot through engagement and feedback. Their input will help inform how alerts are shared and how the system works.

Participants from Indigenous pilot communities will test the system and share their experiences to help shape its community safety and alert features.

How communities are selected

The pilot will begin with a small group of communities. Communities will be selected based on their:

• Readiness and ability to take part
• Experience with missing persons cases
• Experience using the Hawk app
• Location

The pilot aims to include communities from across B.C., including both rural and urban communities.

Feedback and user experience will help improve the service and support possible expansion to more communities.

Stay informed

Subscribe to updates of this page.

Contact us

As the pilot develops, we welcome communities and partners to contact VictimServices@gov.bc.ca to:

• Ask questions
• Express interest
• Share information about local needs