May 5th is national Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness day. More than 4 of 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Some areas of the country are more dangerous and where indigenous women have been murdered at a rate 10 times the national average. Learn more about this issue in central Washington at Vanished.org, a project of Yakima Herald-Republic.

Be an ally and supportive community

• Denounce and speak out against violence directed at Indigenous women, girls, and non-gender conforming peoples
• Decolonize by learning the true history of the U.S. and Indigenous history in your local area – historically, which tribe(s) lived in your area and were pushed out by non-indigenous immigrants?
• Develop knowledge and awareness of this issue. Canada’s report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. National Congress of American Indians 2018 data brief.
• Hold local, state, national governments accountable to act on calls for justice. Follow the work of the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force, which is scheduled to issue its first report in August, 2022. Support legislation that will clarify jurisdiction in these cases and require law enforcement to partner up instead of passing off.
• Ally resources: stand up for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, survivors, and their families. 10 Ways to be a genuine ally to Indigenous Communities; Ally Bill of Responsibilities; Indigenous Ally Toolkit

To view a recent program on Native Women hosted by LWV Kittitas County, click here.