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The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: An Ongoing Tragedy

Shaina Tranquilino

October 4, 2023

The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is a devastating tragedy that has plagued Indigenous communities for decades. Despite being deeply rooted in the history of colonization, it remains an ongoing crisis that demands immediate attention. This blog post aims to shed light on this heartbreaking reality and urges society to acknowledge, address, and support initiatives aimed at ending the violence.

A Historical Context:

To truly understand the gravity of the situation, we must recognize the historical context in which this epidemic has unfolded. Since European colonization began in North America, Indigenous women have faced systemic discrimination, marginalization, and violence. These injustices persist today as a direct result of centuries-long oppression and the erosion of Indigenous cultures.

Disturbing Statistics:

The statistics surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women are both shocking and disheartening. According to a 2016 report by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), there were over 5,700 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous American women recorded in the United States alone. Alarmingly, many believe these numbers may be underestimated due to underreporting or misclassification by law enforcement agencies.

Root Causes:

Numerous factors contribute to this crisis. Poverty, limited access to education and healthcare services, high rates of domestic violence within communities, institutional racism, inadequate law enforcement response, and human trafficking all play significant roles in perpetuating this cycle of violence against Indigenous women.

The Need for Awareness & Advocacy:

Raising awareness about this issue is crucial towards mobilizing action to end it. It requires educating ourselves and others about the plight faced by Indigenous women who continue to disappear or be victimized every day. Social media campaigns like #MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) have played a pivotal role in bringing attention to their stories while demanding justice.

Government Action & Accountability:

Addressing this crisis necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Governments at all levels must take concrete steps to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, including improving collaboration between law enforcement agencies, enhancing victim services, and implementing culturally sensitive policies. Additionally, funding programs that empower Indigenous communities and strengthen support systems are essential for long-term change.

Community Empowerment:

Indigenous communities have been fighting tirelessly to protect their women and girls. Supporting grassroots organizations led by Indigenous people who understand the unique challenges faced by their community is crucial in eradicating this issue. By amplifying voices from within these communities, we can ensure that culturally appropriate solutions are implemented while fostering healing and resilience.

The missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis demands urgent attention from society as a whole. Recognizing the historical context, understanding the systemic issues involved, advocating for awareness, holding governments accountable, and empowering affected communities are all integral components of bringing an end to this deeply entrenched tragedy.

To honour the lives lost and prevent future victimization, it is our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and work towards creating a world where every woman feels safe, valued, and protected. Only through unity can we hope to achieve justice for the missing and murdered Indigenous women who deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment to ending this heartbreaking reality once and for all.

On this day, August 7th, 1993, Ada Deer was sworn in as the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Clinton administration. She was the first Indigenous woman to ever hold the position.

Ada Deer is Mamaceqtaw (Menominee) born and raised on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin. Ada Deer went on to become a social worker, receiving her Master's in Social Work from the prestigious New York School of Social Work, now the Columbia University School of Social Work. After receiving her degree she returned and settled in Minneapolis in order to work with and for the Mamaceqtaw Nation.

During the Termination Era of the 1950s and 1960s the United States federal government enacted laws that dismantled tribal nations, the Menominee being one of them. After the dissolution of the Menominee Nation it was governed under a corporation, Menominee Enterprise Inc., with no Menominee tribal members holding shares in the corporation. Due to her work and activism the Termination Era was brought to a close when in 1973 president Nixon signed the Menominee Restoration Act, establishing the Menominee once again as a federally recognized sovereign nation.

Ada Deer was one of the many women during this time period, and afterwards, who rose up and became political figures and activists in order to safeguard tribal sovereignty and preserve Indigenous cultures as well as bring much needed aid to Indigenous peoples who had been marginalized and ignored by both federal and state governments.

Thank you Grandmother. 🙏🏻🦅