“Indigenous women go missing twice: once in reality and again in the media.” This poignant statement from Sarah Johnson, a co-founder of the advocacy group Save Our Sisters, encapsulates the distressing phenomenon affecting Native women in both the United States and Canada. They are being abducted and murdered at shockingly high rates, yet this crisis often goes unacknowledged.
It’s imperative that we bring this issue to light. In April 2015, a harrowing case emerged when Lila Harris was kidnapped in Minnesota and taken to Williston, North Dakota. After managing to escape, she sought help from local authorities, only to find herself treated as a suspect rather than a victim—arrested for an old traffic ticket instead of being offered support.
This is not an isolated incident. Between May 2015 and January 2016, three Native American women were murdered, and two others went missing in northern Minnesota alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that Native American and Black women face the highest murder rates in the U.S., with homicide being the third leading cause of death for Native women aged 10-24. These statistics, however, do not encompass the full scope of the crisis, as many disappearances remain unsolved.
Despite families reporting missing persons to tribal or local police, resolution is often elusive. The prevailing assumption seems to be that when Native women vanish, they are unlikely to be found alive. Compounding the issue is the absence of a comprehensive database to track cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, a gap that has persisted for far too long.
This violence is not a new phenomenon; it has deep historical roots tied to colonization, systemic racism, and domestic abuse. With a murder rate for Native women that is ten times the national average, the situation is dire. Mistrust between law enforcement and Native communities further complicates matters. Many Native individuals have experienced violence at the hands of police, leading to reluctance in cooperating with investigations. Carmen Red Feather, a member of the Lakota Nation and coordinator of the Native Women’s Coalition, emphasizes that Native women often have to prove their innocence to be recognized as victims.
There is a strong movement to address these injustices. Organizations like the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women are actively working to raise awareness. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement has gained traction, inspiring individuals like 19-year-old college student Maya Whitebird, who recently completed an 80-mile awareness walk through the Flathead Indian Reservation. Although she faced hostility from some onlookers, many expressed support for her cause.
There are concrete ways to get involved. Advocating for legislation like Savannah’s Act, which aims to standardize law enforcement protocols and improve data collection on missing Native Americans, is crucial. Additionally, initiatives like the Red Ribbon Alert Project provide a platform for swift alerts when a Native woman goes missing, helping communities respond quickly.
Financial support for organizations dedicated to ending violence against Indigenous women, such as the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, can also make a significant impact. It’s vital to keep the conversation going—discuss these issues in your community and share information through social media. The absence of documented cases does not equate to a lack of existence; these women deserve to be remembered and fought for.
Let’s raise our voices for those who have been silenced and take action now.
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Summary
Indigenous women in the U.S. and Canada are disappearing at alarming rates, often facing violence and systemic neglect. The lack of a comprehensive database for missing and murdered Indigenous women exacerbates the issue. Advocacy for legislative change and community awareness is essential in addressing this crisis and supporting the affected families.
Keyphrase
Missing Indigenous Women Crisis
Tags
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