Restoration Magazine

In 2005, the movement for the safety of Native women led the struggle to include within the Violence Against Women Act a separate title called Safety for Indian Women. One of the findings of this title was that during the period of 1979 through 1992, homicide was the third-leading cause of death of Indian females aged 15 to 34, and 75 percent were killed by family members or acquaintances. In some tribal communities, the U.S. Department of Justice has found that American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average. Over the last year, the national movement for the safety of Native women organized to create a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. May 5, 2017 marked the first national day of awareness with tribal awareness and justice walks taking place across the United States. While awareness of this national issue has increased over the last decade, more must be done at the local, regional, national and international level. To organize and respond to an issue, we must first acknowledge and understand it. Please join us on June 12, 2017, for a Conversation with the Field to discuss the issue of missing and murdered Native women, including ways to increase our national awareness and organizing efforts to end such violence. For more information, please contact Paula Julian at pjulian@niwrc.org