Restoration Magazine

In response to the death of RoyLynn Rides Horse in June at the Crow Reservation, and the murder of Hanna Harris at the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in 2013, the Montana Congressional Delegation called for the passage of a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

Senator Steve Daines and Senator Jon Tester introduced a Senate resolution calling for the creation of a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The resolution would designate May 5, 2017, the birthday of Hanna Harris, as the National Day of Awareness. Congressman Ryan Zinke introduced a companion bill in the House.

Hanna Harris was 21 years old when she went missing on July 4, 2013. Due to the inadequate response of the justice system, her family and friends searched for Hanna. The community led a march for justice for Hanna and other unresolved murders of American Indian women.

RoyLynn Rides Horse was beaten, burned, and left for dead. RoyLynn walked several miles before collapsing. Concerned about the inadequate response of the justice system to investigate RoyLynn’s case, the Crow Tribe also led a march for justice on June 16, 2016. Early Tuesday, the day the resolution was introduced, RoyLynn passed over.

“The harsh reality of our lives as Native women is that we witness our sisters, mothers, daughters, and community members disappear and nothing is done,” said Lucy Simpson, Director of NIWRC. “The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center offers our prayers to all of the families of missing Native women and girls.”

“Turning our grief to action we strongly support the resolution calling for a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls to help increase awareness and shed light on the countless tragedies involving our Native sisters,” said Cherrah Giles, Chair, NIWRC Board of Directors.

We are calling on all those concerned for the safety of Native women to organize at the local, tribal, state, national, and international levels to support the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. Join us to tell Congress enough is enough. Now is the time for action!

Cherrah Giles, Chairwoman, Board of Directors
Lucy Simpson, Executive Director

“The harsh reality of our lives as Native women is that we witness our sisters, mothers, daughters, and community members disappear and nothing is done. We strongly support the resolution calling for a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls to help increase awareness and shed light on the countless tragedies involving our Native sisters.”

-Lucy Simpson, Executive Director, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

“On behalf of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition and the Native women we serve, I would like to acknowledge Senators Daines and Tester and Congressman Zinke and their staff for recognizing and finally acknowledging the many, many missing and murdered Native women but in particular Montana’s Indian country. Thank you to the Montana delegation for being brave and finally breaking the silence and acknowledging the Native women who are missing and those that have been murdered.”

-Toni Plummer-Alvernaz, Executive Director, Montana Native Women’s Coalition