Because May 5th was designated by the Congress to be National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day, I decided to go ahead and post this. I wrote it a while back and have been thinking about whether to post it here or not. Since there is a national day assigned to this issue, I decided to go ahead and post it.
This is a long post because its purpose is to educate on this issue. We touched on this problem once before here, but this post delves even deeper into the subject. We as a society must act to improve the response to each incident as well as to learn why this is occurring. Only with education on the topic can we actually make any progress.
The issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is a devastating reality in North America that disproportionately affects Indigenous communities. MMIW refers to the alarming number of cases involving Indigenous women who have been reported missing or found murdered under suspicious circumstances. Despite the severity of the issue, there has been a lack of action and attention from government officials and law enforcement.
Definition of Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women (MMIW)
The term MMIW encompasses a complex societal issue that has affected Indigenous communities for decades. It refers to cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women, including trans women and girls, who have been reported as gone missing or found deceased in suspicious circumstances. This issue impacts not only individuals but entire families and communities, leading to intergenerational trauma.Importance of Discussing MMIW
The high rates of MMIW highlight the systemic racism, marginalization, poverty, lack of access to resources such as healthcare, education, housing that are faced by many Indigenous peoples in North America. The impact goes beyond just statistics as it disrupts entire families and communities leaving long-lasting effects on their mental health. Discussing this issue is essential for addressing the root causes contributing to this epidemic.Indigenous people are more likely than any other racial group in Canada to experience violent crime and harassment so it is imperative that we support their communities through these times. Their culture also plays an important role which leads us into our next section
Brief History of MMIW in North America
The history behind MMIW dates back centuries with colonization being one main cause for such violence against Native American women. There has been significant damage done including separating children from their families during boarding schools era where cultural practices were prohibited. These policies have resulted in intergenerational trauma, which has only amplified the problem of MMIW.Despite the long history of this issue, it wasn't until the 1980s that Indigenous communities began organizing to draw attention to it. Additionally, actions from governments and law enforcement have been slow and inadequate due to systemic racism entrenched in our institutions.
This has left families of MMIW feeling unheard and neglected by those who are supposed to serve them. The need for continued advocacy and education surrounding MMIW is crucial in order to address this issue head-on.
High-Level Overview of MMIW
Statistics on the number of missing and murdered
Indigenous women in North America
The issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is not just a local or regional concern, but rather a global one. In North America, there have been thousands of cases reported over the last few decades.
According to reports by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), over 1,200 Indigenous women have been killed or gone missing in Canada between 1980 and 2012. Similarly, the US Justice Department found that Native American women experience murder rates more than ten times higher than the national average.
It's worth noting that these numbers may be underestimated since many cases go unreported or are not accurately recorded. Additionally, many families of MMIW face barriers when attempting to report their missing loved ones to law enforcement agencies due to systemic racism.
Factors contributing to the high rates of MMIW,
such as systemic racism, poverty, and lack of access to resources
There are numerous contributing factors that perpetuate this human-rights crisis. Systemic racism is arguably one of the most significant contributors as it creates an environment where violence against Indigenous women is normalized and justice for these crimes is often neglected.Poverty also plays an instrumental role as it can lead to a lack of access to resources such as transportation and safe housing. The historical trauma experienced by Indigenous communities due to colonization has also contributed significantly.
The introduction of colonial policies such as residential schools led to cultural erasure and intergenerational trauma which affect many families today. This trauma can create additional challenges when seeking support from law enforcement agencies who may not understand how historical injustices still affect present-day realities.
Government response to the issue
Governments across North America have been criticized for their handling - or lack thereof - regarding this issue. In Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was launched in 2016.
The inquiry's final report declared that the ongoing violence against Indigenous women is a form of genocide. Similarly, in the United States, the Savanna's Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018.
The act aims to address issues such as improving data collection on MMIW, increasing coordination between law enforcement agencies, and training programs for law enforcement officials. Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done as Indigenous communities continue to face disproportionate rates of violence.
The Impact on Indigenous Communities
and Families Affected by MMIW
Indigenous communities and families are disproportionately affected by the issue of MMIW. The loss of a loved one to violence can have a significant impact on a community, and the loss of an Indigenous woman is particularly devastating due to their important role in their communities as life-givers and caretakers. The trauma experienced by Indigenous families who have lost loved ones to MMIW is often compounded by systemic racism within law enforcement systems, which can lead to poor treatment or neglect of cases involving Indigenous women.
Furthermore, the impact of MMIW extends beyond just the immediate family or community. The issue has significant intergenerational effects that have been passed down through generations since colonization.
The loss of Indigenous women not only affects their families but also has broader implications for Indigenous cultures and traditional knowledge systems. It is crucial that we understand the depth of pain and suffering that MMIW has caused across generations if we are to address this issue effectively.
The Role of Law Enforcement in
Investigating Cases of MMIW
The lack of proper investigation into cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women is a longstanding issue. Law enforcement agencies may not take these cases seriously or prioritize them properly, leading to incomplete investigations or unsolved cases.This lack of accountability contributes significantly to the high rates of MMIW. Additionally, there are concerns about mistreatment and discrimination against Indigenous people by law enforcement officials when reporting crimes.
These problems are magnified when it comes to missing or murdered Indigenous women, resulting in mistrust between affected communities and law enforcement agencies. Proper training for law enforcement officials on issues related to MMIW would be beneficial in addressing these shortcomings in investigations while also serving as a step towards repairing relationships between police departments and affected communities.
The Intersectionality Between Gender-Based
Violence and Colonialism
The intersectionality between gender-based violence against Indigenous women and colonialism is a critical aspect of understanding the issue of MMIW. The legacy of colonization and forced assimilation policies in North America has resulted in systemic racism and oppression against Indigenous peoples, including gender-based violence. The effects of colonialism are far-reaching, resulting in social, economic, and cultural disruption within Indigenous communities.These disruptions have led to higher rates of poverty, homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues among Indigenous people. These factors all contribute to the increased risk of MMIW.
It is essential to acknowledge the historical context behind this issue if we are to address it effectively. Addressing colonialism's legacy requires a comprehensive approach that considers economic, social, and cultural factors alongside legal reform.
The Importance of Cultural Preservation
in Preventing Further Cases of MMIW
Indigenous cultures hold knowledge systems that have sustained their communities for generations. Preserving these cultures is crucial when addressing issues like MMIW as they provide valuable insight into strategies for prevention or intervention.Cultural preservation can also serve as a form of healing for Indigenous communities affected by MMIW's intergenerational impacts. The revitalization of traditional practices can support individuals' wellbeing while serving as a means to build stronger connections between individuals within their communities.
Understanding niche subtopics within the larger issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is vital if we are to address this issue effectively. Only with a comprehensive understanding can we begin working towards true justice for murdered or missing Indigenous women while also taking steps towards building healthier relationships between law enforcement agencies and affected communities.
The Untold Stories of MMIW
Behind every statistic of a missing or murdered Indigenous woman, there is a real person and a family left in grief. One such story is that of Ashley HeavyRunner Loring, who went missing in 2017 while studying at college in Montana.
She was last seen at a party and her disappearance was not reported until four days later. Despite extensive searches and investigations, Ashley has never been found.
Her sister Kimberly Loring believes that if Ashley had been non-Indigenous or from a wealthier background, the response to her disappearance would have been more urgent. Another heartbreaking case is that of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old girl from Sagkeeng First Nation who was found dead in Winnipeg's Red River in 2014.
She had run away from her foster home and was reported missing only days before her body was discovered wrapped in plastic and weighed down by rocks. Tina's death sparked national outrage and led to renewed calls for action on MMIW.
These individual cases show the devastating impact that MMIW has on families and communities. They also highlight the systemic issues at play that contribute to Indigenous women being disproportionately affected by violence.
The Historical Context of MMIW
The history of colonization and residential schools in North America has had lasting effects on Indigenous communities, including the ongoing issue of MMIW. For centuries, Indigenous women have faced violence at the hands of colonizers and settlers who sought to exert power over them.The legacy of residential schools is particularly relevant to understanding the disproportionate rates of violence against Indigenous women today. These government-funded schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, often through physical abuse and cultural genocide.
As a result, many Indigenous families were broken apart or punished for practicing their own cultural traditions. This legacy continues today with ongoing injustices towards Indigenous peoples such as land thefts, water contamination, and systemic racism.
Non-Indigenous Allyship in
Addressing MMIW
As non-Indigenous individuals, it is important to recognize our role in addressing the issue of MMIW. One way to support Indigenous communities is to educate ourselves and others about the issue. This can involve reading books or articles written by Indigenous authors, attending rallies or events focused on MMIW awareness, and donating money or time to organizations working towards justice for Indigenous peoples.
It is also important for non-Indigenous individuals to listen to Indigenous voices and follow their lead in addressing this issue. This means centering the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous women and supporting their leadership in creating solutions to the problem of MMIW.
The issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is not one that can be ignored. The staggering statistics, the heartbreaking stories, and the systemic issues that contribute to this problem demand our attention.
It is crucial that we continue to have conversations about MMIW and take action to address it. This includes holding governments accountable for better responses to cases of MMIW, educating ourselves on the history and context of violence against Indigenous women, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives aimed at preventing violence against women, and protecting cultural practices and traditions.
There are many articles available online on this topic. They truly will break your heart to read them. Here are a few that you might want to see:
