MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) is a North American movement raising awareness of the disappearance and deaths of Indigenous Women and seeking justice for those whose voices have been taken. To help draw attention, red handprints have become a symbol of the movement.
MMIW by the Numbers
Indigenous Women face a murder rate almost 3x that of non-Hispanic White women and 10x the national average in some localities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women in certain age groups.
Research funded by the National Institute of Justice found that:
- Four out of every five Indigenous Women have experienced some form of violence.
- Over half of Indigenous Women have experienced sexual violence or intimate partner violence.
- Almost half of Indigenous Women have experienced stalking.
- Nearly all victims (97%) have experienced violence at the hands of a non-Indigenous perpetrator.
These are women suffering real harm, yet it is vastly underreported and under-investigated.
Jurisdictional Quagmire in the US
One of the systemic barriers to justice for these women are laws and court rulings that create jurisdictional issues. Tribal authorities have been limited to imposing meager punishment and largely unable to prosecute non-Indigenous perpetrators. States are limited in their authority, so the federal government has been the primary enforcer of criminal law on tribal land. However, according to theNational Crime Information Center, out of 5,712 indigenous women and girls reported missing in the US, only 116 cases were logged through the Department of Justice’s missing person database. That’s only a little over two percent.
Imperfect Progress
The work of MMIW activists has led to some progress. Canada and several US states have taken steps to address the crisis. And the US federal government has established mechanisms to address issues like data collection, and shamefully inadequate policies, while creating an investigative unit focused on solving these cases.
But of course, there is vastly more to be done. Raising awareness is key to keeping government officials focused on this issue. As always, start by educating yourself. Then speak up to support Indigenous Women’s movements and those who have been silenced.