Restoration Magazine

“I am heartbroken by the recent murder of RoyLynn Rides Horse. Tragically it’s a symptom of the greater epidemic of tribal women who go missing and are murdered at staggering rates. We are ringing the alarm to this devastating epidemic.” 

—Senator Steve Daines, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

“It is critical that we shed more light on the hardships that Native women and their families often face. But words must be followed up with actions, and I am committed to working with the Montana Congressional delegation and Montana tribes to increase the safety of Native women and ensure they have every opportunity to thrive.”

— Senator Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

S. RES. 60

Designating May 5, 2017, as the “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls”.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 13, 2017

Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Franken, Mr. Hoeven, and Mr. Udall) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Designating May 5, 2017, as the “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.”

• Whereas, according to a study commissioned by the Department of Justice, in some tribal communities, American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average;
• Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide was the third leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women between 10 and 24 years of age and the fifth leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women between 25 and 34 years of age;
• Whereas little data exist on the number of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women in the United States;
• Whereas, on July 5, 2013, Hanna Harris, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, was reported missing by her family in Lame Deer, Montana;
• Whereas the body of Hanna Harris was found 5 days after she went missing;
• Whereas Hanna Harris was determined to have been raped and murdered and the individuals accused of committing those crimes were convicted;
• Whereas the case of Hanna Harris is only one example of many similar cases; and
• Whereas Hanna Harris was born on May 5, 1992: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates May 5, 2017, as the “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls”; and

(2) calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to—

(A) commemorate the lives of missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Native women whose cases are documented and undocumented in public records and the media; and

(B) demonstrate solidarity with the families of victims in light of those tragedies.