Native women and girls face some of the highest rates of violence in the United States. According to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, on some reservations, the murder of Native women is over ten times higher than the national average. The National Week of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls/Peoples (MMIWG/P) is observed from May 1 to May 7. This week is an opportunity to raise awareness and take action to recognize the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The National Day of Awareness on May 5 is a day to honor the lives of those who were abducted or murdered and to acknowledge the staggering number of cases that remain unsolved. The day is observed annually during May on the birthday of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe who went missing on July 4, 2013.
Most of the murders and disappearances of indigenous women and girls are connected to crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. Despite this, these cases often go unreported and uninvestigated, and the perpetrators are left unpunished. The families of those who are missing or murdered are often left without answers or justice.
It is essential to raise awareness and take action to address the issue of missing and murdered Native women. We need to increase accountability of the systems and institutions that have failed to provide justice to the families of the missing and murdered.
NYSCADV is dedicated to enhancing the safety and access to justice for all Indigenous peoples. We aim to amplify the crucial efforts that Indigenous communities engage in and work alongside Indigenous organizations, advocates, and allies to prevent and end violence against Indigenous peoples. To this end, NYSCADV has collaborated with partners such as the Seven Dancers Coalition and Michelle Shenandoah to create the Domestic Violence and Indigenous Peoples Project. This project offers trainings, listening sessions, and resources related to Indigenous Peoples to increase access to services that are provided in a culturally safe and responsive manner for Indigenous survivors. NYSCADV is committed to learning from our partners on how best to support their efforts. The project includes research, best practices, articles, and resources for advocates and domestic violence survivors, which can be accessed by clicking here.
NYSCADV is participating in the National Week of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls campaign beginning on May 1 and leading up to the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG on May 5. We invite you to join us in these virtual activities! Here are a few ideas for how you can participate:
- Take action during the 2024 National Week of Awareness for MMIWGP! Click here for a full list of activities.
- Wear RED on May 5 and post a photo on social media with the hashtag. #NationalDayofAwareness #MMNWG or #MMIW.
- Host a community event in your community on May 5.
- Host a prayer circle or candlelight vigil on May 5.
- Raise awareness by sharing the names and the stories of those who are missing or may have been murdered in your community.
Learn about the critical work that Indigenous organizations are doing to increase awareness and promote change across the nation:
- Seven Dancers Coalition: A New York State based nonprofit whose mission is to uplift the families of Indigenous Communities by educating and restoring traditional values with the purpose of strengthening self-confidence and dignity.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-762-8483): A 24/7 culturally-appropriate, anonymous, confidential service dedicated to serving Native American survivors of domestic violence and concerned family members and friends.
- Mending the Sacred Hoop (MSH): A Native owned and operated non-profit that exists to address violence against Native women and works to end it. MSH provides grassroots building, coalition building, and trainings on addressing, responding, and preventing violence against American Indian/Alaska Native women in their home community of Duluth, MN and throughout Minnesota.
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC): A Native nonprofit organization that was created specifically to serve as the National Indian Resource Center (NIRC) addressing domestic violence and safety for Indian Women. NIRWC conducts public awareness and resource development, training and technical assistance, policy development, and research activities.
- Rematriation: Rematriation is a multi-media initiative engaging in film production, digital content creation and community engagement. Rematriation re-imagines the ways in which a “magazine” can shift narratives, defy stereotypes, and reflect indigenous experiences. This initiative engages a community of Haudenosaunee and Indigenous women who are healing together. Non-Indigenous friends and allies are welcome to join to receive subscriber-only content. A go to place to learn about how you can support the work of Rematriation and gain access to tips and advice about showing up in support of Indigenous peoples.
