Things to be AWARE of when TALKING about MMIWR / MMIWG / MMIWG2S

On this day, May 5th, every year, we dedicate as a day of awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people.Today and everyday - we remember mothers, sisters, daughters, siblings and relatives who have faced a disproportionate level of violence.

#MMIWG2S - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit.
A congressional resolution supported by tribal, state and national organizations declared May 5 the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S; it was passed in memory of Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne), who was murdered in July 2013. The high rates of assault, abduction and murder that Indigenous women face have been occurring for decades - the only recent thing about the crisis is the growing attention from non-Native people, which is crucial.

4 out of 5 of our Native women

experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.

~Source: Rosay, André B., Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 2016, NCJ 249736.

Native women face murder rates more than 10x times

the national average.

~Source: Bachman, R., Zaykowski, H., Kallymer, R., Poteyeva, M., & Lanier, C. (2008). Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and the Criminal Justice Response: What is Known. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice.

Homicide is the third leading cause of death among Native girls & women aged 10 to 24, and the fifth leading cause of death for Native women aged 25 to 34.

~Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading Causes of Death in Females by Age Group, American Indian/Alaska Native. 2015. May 5 marks the 15th anniversary of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), also known as Red Dress Day.To raise awareness and pay tribute on this day, wear red, inform yourself about MMIWG2S, and participate in your local community events to commemorate this day.