Restoration Magazine

Since 2017, actions on May 5th to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) at the local, regional, and national level continue to grow across the United States and internationally. These efforts are as varied as the Indian Nations and Indigenous communities where they are being organized. The silence, tolerance, and inaction in response to the crisis of MMIWG is being challenged by Native families, advocates, and Indian tribes.

In 2021, a full week of national events will call the nation and the world to action to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We invite all those concerned to join these events, and we support your efforts to organize events during the National Week of Action and on May 5th, the National Day of Awareness.

This year can mark the year the government’s “no action response” is changed to a “yes, crisis-mode response.”

Challenging the Systemic Response to MMIWG

The tribal press conferences, community searches, and justice marches taking place across the continent reflect the emergence of a new standard—holding the government accountable for the criminals, government employees, and the public, who are allowed to prey on Native women and girls. These efforts are beginning to expose systemic barriers through the passage of legislation at the county, state, and federal levels to mandate the attention of governments in consultation with tribes on addressing the MMIWG crisis.

Challenging Social Tolerance of Violence Against Indigenous Women

Increased educational awareness actions are needed. Local collective organizing efforts have included conferences, community runs, and public art displays. Individuals’ actions have produced songs, unforgettable images, videos, and films. The list of actions taking place in the movement is long; it is as varied as the people calling for justice across the nation.

While large organized actions are essential, individual actions provide a social statement regarding the depth of MMIW. These actions relay to the world the reality that MMIW touches all Indian Nations and the peoples of which they are composed. In making these personal statements, the loved one is honored, and we hope the family and community are supported.

Given the COVID-19 healthcare restrictions, a National Working Group on MMIWG is organizing national actions online and inviting all those concerned to join. We encourage all individuals and organizations to participate nationally in these events and organize additional actions at the regional and local levels.

“As a mother, nothing will replace the loss of my daughter, but by organizing to support the National Day of Awareness and creating the changes needed, I know it will help others. And Hanna and so many others will not be forgotten.”—Malinda Limberhand, Mother of Hanna Harris, Honored by the National Day of Awareness Senate Proclamation

• VIEW full list of events at niwrc.org/mmiwgnatlweek21.
• SHARE the MMIWG ‘No More Stolen Sisters’ poster (inserted in this magazine!) and share a photo of yourself wearing red and/ or traditional attire with the poster using #MMIWGTakeAction, #NoMoreStolenSisters and #MMIWG. Download and share the poster: bit.ly/3jEh8cV
• SIGN ON to support May 5th as the National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls: bit.ly/2N6huNr
• SHARE StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE, or online chat at strongheartshelpline.org). Help us get the word out to our relatives!

Stay Tuned

Subcribe to NIWRC's mailing list for more details on the National Week of Action and other MMIW events: bit.ly/3cTXYic