The Impact of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on Native Youth: Tribal Youth Share Concerns About Missing Mothers, Sisters, and Friends
In 2014, the United Nations requested a national public inquiry into the high number of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) after the murder of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine. The Canadian National Inquiry was never conducted. As indigenous people, the community steps in to serve the family and conduct searches. One community member, Bernie Williams, founding mother of the Sacred Circle Women’s Center in Vancouver, Canada (who has survived the loss of her mother and two sisters to the MMIW epidemic), was asked why hundreds of missing and murdered Native women do not find justice. She replied, “[Indian women] don’t matter. They don’t matter at all. They are just ‘another Indian.’ They always say ‘the only good Indian is a dead Indian,’ and that still exists.”
Trafficked girls are a significant part of Williams’ work as a first responder, service provider, and prevention advocate against the MMIW epidemic. More than 40% of Native youth experience two or more acts of violence by the age of 18.1 Teen dating violence rate among high school students in Alaska’s Native communities was 13.3%, compared to the national average of 9.8%2. Even with these statistics, we hear voices in the field speaking to racial stigma, “Indigenous women go missing twice: Once in real life and a second time in the news.”3 Justice for murdered and missing girls is an epidemic of third-world proportions in first-world countries like the United States and Canada. Yet, it is drastically underreported and has become the norm among non-indigenous people. For example, Daniel, a former white supremacist, admits to preying on Indian people, including shooting, stabbing, and beating. “I had 13 charges, six convictions, and have assaulted hundreds of Native people. I got away with most of my crimes; I never had a day in jail. Our society in general does not value Native people; it is ingrained in us. That is the society we live in.”4 In his rehabilitation, he actively is unlearning what society has taught him.
Although tragic events occur across age, tribe, region, urban/reserve, sobriety, or ability, there is increased risk for youth who leave the reserve in hopes for a better life in the urban community. Estimates show that more than 440 children have been impacted by the disappearance or murder of their mothers. Very little is known about what happens to these children following the loss of their mothers.5 Hopes and dreams for young Natives are often met with homelessness, limited opportunities, sexual assault, addiction, and the dangers that often lead to victimization. “Crystal” and “Chanel” are two young Native women living on the street near the Sacred Women’s Circle Center. They have no home, are addicted to drugs, and live in constant fear. They work in prostitution, as an escort and a client “spotter.” The only safe space for them is the sidewalk outside the Center. They know the risks, but as one of them shared, “We don’t have any other options; we are afraid everyday. My other friend has been missing since last week. We have limited options. We are living to survive.”6 Native youth are often simply surviving.
1. Finkelhor, D., Turner, H., Ormrod, R., Hamby, S., & Kracke, K. (2009). Children’s exposure to violence: A comprehensive national survey (Bulletin). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227744.pdf
2. CDC. “Youth Online High School YRBS.” Available here.
3. Pember, M. (2016). Missing and murdered: No one knows how many Native women have disappeared. Retrieved from http://www.salon.com/2014/02/14/the_missing_women_you_dont_hear_about_h…
4. Ibid.
5. National Women’s Association of Canada. (2010). Fact sheet: Missing and murdered. Aboriginal women and girls. Retrieved from https://nwac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2010-Fact-Sheet-Ontario-MMAW…
6. Viceland. (2016). WOMAN Profiles: Bernie Williams - Canada: The Missing First Nations. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihif4JrFzEg
