As we enter May, we are in a pivotal time for advocacy and remembrance within Indigenous communities. This month, we focus our collective attention on the harrowing realities faced by Indigenous women across North America—a crisis encapsulated by the ongoing epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
The “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” movement highlights a grave issue that has persisted largely unaddressed due to systemic and resource allocation inequities. The statistics are sobering and reveal a deep-seated crisis. The latest data from the National Crime Information Center reveals a deeply concerning situation: at the end of 2022, 658 cases of missing and murdered Native American women and girls remain unresolved. This situation is indicative of significant gaps in the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), where only a minimal number of these cases are thoroughly investigated or followed up. Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of violence, being over 10 times more likely to be murdered than women from other ethnic groups, and murder is the third leading cause of death among these women.
This crisis does not exist in a vacuum but is the result of historical and ongoing systemic inequities that disproportionately affect Native communities. These include disparities in legal systems, health care and education, compounded by a lack of adequate representation in the media and governmental neglect. The systemic barriers contribute to a cycle of violence and marginalization of Indigenous peoples.
At the heart of the solution is education. For Indigenous people, education is more than a pursuit of knowledge; it is a critical tool for survival and empowerment. The Rankin Foundation advocates strongly for educational initiatives that empower Indigenous women and Two-Spirit individuals, enabling them to advocate for their communities and craft solutions that address systemic neglect.
This month, we encourage everyone to take actionable steps to support MMIW awareness and advocacy:
Educate Yourself: Read articles, watch documentaries and engage in conversation. Read books like Red River Girl and watch series, such as PBS’ Bring Her Home and Paramount+/Showtime’s Murder in Big Horn. These resources help facilitate meaningful group discussions in classrooms, book clubs and film groups.
Engage Digitally: Share stories, pictures and videos on social media using hashtags like #MMIW, as well as #MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous People), #MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls), #MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives) to raise awareness.
Support Respectfully: Approach discussions about MMIP without presumption, affirming the dignity of all individuals who have experienced violence.
Honor and Grieve: Allow space for the grief that accompanies the great loss of life in this epidemic, and honor those who have been lost.
Wear Red to Educate and Advocate: We urge you to wear red this month as a symbol of solidarity and remembrance, supporting frontline organizations and advocating for necessary policy changes.
Each of these actions contributes to a broader effort to bring attention, drive change and support those affected by this crisis.
As we reflect on the power we hold—to learn, to share and to act—let us move from awareness to concrete action. Together, with resilience and relentless advocacy, we can strive for a future where no Indigenous person is missing or murdered without justice and recognition.