Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)
At Empyrean Roots, we’re committed to raising awareness for causes that need our collective attention. One of the most urgent issues facing Indigenous communities today is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. The symbol of the red handprint, often painted across the mouth, represents the silencing of Indigenous women whose voices are too often ignored.
Crisis in Numbers
Indigenous women in the United States and Canada face violence at an alarming rate. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Native American women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the national average (Wikipedia) (Native Hope). In fact, 84% of Native women will experience violence in their lifetime (Native Hope). Of this group, many face sexual assault and domestic violence, yet their cases often go uninvestigated or receive minimal media coverage.
In Canada, where the movement gained significant momentum, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019) found that over 4,000 Indigenous women have gone missing or have been murdered in the last few decades (Wikipedia). Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Urban Indian Health Institute reported 506 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women in 71 cities, with only 116 of those cases covered by the media (Native Tribe Info).
A Symbol of Solidarity & Action
The red handprint symbolizes the silenced voices of Indigenous women; the bloodshed and the systemic disregard for these women’s safety and justice (Native Tribe Info). The crisis has ignited a movement that spans across both nations, advocating for government accountability, improved law enforcement responses, and broader public awareness.
One powerful example of advocacy came in the form of the 2019 Boston Marathon, where Native athlete Jordan Marie Daniel dedicated her run to the MMIW movement. With a red handprint across her face, she ran to honor 26 missing or murdered Indigenous women, using her platform to make their stories visible (Wikipedia).
Crisis Contributors
A combination of historical and systemic factors contributes to this crisis. Centuries of colonization have inflicted trauma on Native communities, stripping them of their lands, rights, and autonomy. Many Native women live in isolated, under-resourced areas, where jurisdictional issues between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement prevent swift action on cases (Native Tribe Info). Even when cases are reported, they are often deprioritized due to negative stereotypes about Indigenous people (Native Hope).
The epidemic of human trafficking has also had a disproportionate impact on Indigenous women. Native American women are more likely to be trafficked due to economic vulnerabilities, systemic racism, and geographic isolation (Native Tribe Info) (Native Tribe Info).
Advocacy & Progress
Despite the enormity of the issue, advocacy efforts are making strides. Indigenous activists have led the charge in bringing attention to MMIW, from organizing marches to creating powerful art. Projects like the Sky-Eagle Collection use fashion as a medium to honor victims and raise awareness (APTN News). Grassroots movements are advocating for comprehensive legal reforms, such as the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which includes critical provisions for Native women (Wikipedia).
At the federal level, legislation like the Not Invisible Act and Savanna’s Act have been passed to improve coordination between law enforcement and Native communities, and to establish better data collection on MMIW cases (Wikipedia). These legislative victories mark important steps forward, but the work is far from complete.
How You Can Help
Education and awareness are crucial components in addressing this crisis. Here’s a few ways you can support the MMIW movement:
Support Indigenous organizations like the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center and Native Hope, which work to prevent violence against Native women.
Share their stories. The more we amplify the voices of Indigenous women and their families, the harder it becomes for this issue to remain in the shadows.
Advocate for change. Call on your local representatives to support legislative measures that protect Indigenous women and ensure justice for the missing and murdered.
For more resources, please visit organizations Sovereign Bodies Institute and Women of All Red Nations (WARN).
