Honoring the voices of missing and murdered Indigenous women

To many, May 5 is just a day. But for indigenous people like 51-year-old Lesley Reddin, it is much more. Reddin is a member of the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma, and getting the word out about May 5 is a critical mission for her. It represents loss and injustice, and Reddin is doing what she can to bring awareness.

“The red handprint is a sign of our lost Native Americans,” Reddin said. “It represents the silence they want from us. Please take this to heart and pray for all that we have lost.”

The observance of May 5 as a day of awareness was initiated in 2017 by a U.S. Senate resolution following the 2013 murder of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana. Hanna’s case highlighted the lack of adequate law enforcement response and the broader issue of violence against indigenous women.

Indigenous women and girls face disproportionately high rates of violence. In the United States, they are over twice as likely to be homicide victims compared to the national average. In Canada, Indigenous women only make up five percent of the female population, but they represent 16 percent of female homicide victims.

On May 5, communities across North America engage in various activities to honor the victims and raise awareness. Those activities include:

• Wearing red clothing or accessories as a symbol of solidarity.
• Displaying red dresses in public spaces to represent the missing women and girls.
• Marches and vigils.
• Educational programs like workshops, lectures, and art installations.

According to an article from www.apnews.com, Justice Department data shows Indigenous women are more than twice as likely to be homicide victims than the national average. That is unacceptable. There are things that you can do to go towards helping end this crisis.

• Educate yourself. Learn about the history and ongoing issues related to MMIW through reputable sources.
• Support organizations. Donate to or volunteer with organizations working to address the MMIW crisis, such as the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.
• Advocate for Policy Changes. Engage with policymakers to support legislation aimed at improving data collection, law enforcement training, and victim services.
• Raise Awareness. Use social media and community platforms to share information and stories, keeping the conversation active.

By participating in these actions, we can all help honor the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and work towards change to prevent future tragedies.