Missoula, MT – On May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating and ongoing crisis facing Native communities across North America. This day not only brings attention to the lives lost but also amplifies the voices of families and communities who continue to fight for justice and recognition.
Indigenous women face staggering rates of violence, with murder rates more than 10 times the national average. In Montana, a state home to many Native American tribes, the statistics are particularly harrowing. Indigenous women are four times more likely to go missing than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Despite the alarming numbers, many of these cases remain unresolved or underreported, with families and activists working tirelessly to ensure that the stories of their loved ones are not forgotten.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) crisis is compounded by systemic failures within law enforcement and the legal system, which often fail to adequately investigate these cases. The lack of a coordinated response has resulted in delayed investigations and limited resources for families seeking justice. This ongoing negligence has spurred grassroots efforts and organizations that aim to address the disparity in the treatment of missing Indigenous women.
In the past, there have been several high-profile cases that have drawn attention to the crisis. One of the most well-known stories is that of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old woman from the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota, who was tragically murdered in 2017. Savanna’s case brought nationwide attention to the issue, but it also highlighted how such tragedies are often treated as isolated incidents rather than part of a much larger, systemic issue affecting Indigenous women and girls.
However, many other stories remain untold, and it is these voices that often go unnoticed by the broader public. Families of missing Indigenous women often feel that their loved ones’ disappearances are met with indifference, or worse, outright neglect by authorities. As a result, the MMIWG movement has grown into a powerful force demanding accountability and justice for victims.
The Montana-based news outlet MTN has been at the forefront of shedding light on the MMIWG crisis. Through its reporting, the station has highlighted numerous cases of missing Indigenous women, both well-known and those that have flown under the radar. The stories shared by MTN and other media outlets help remind the public that these tragedies are not isolated and should not be ignored.
May 5th is a call to action for all Americans, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to acknowledge the deep-rooted injustices that continue to affect Native communities. It is a day for reflection, but it is also a day to push for change. The movement to end violence against Indigenous women is not just about raising awareness; it is about demanding justice, improving law enforcement practices, and ensuring that Indigenous women have the support they deserve.
While the pain of loss can never be undone, the ongoing efforts to bring visibility to these cases and push for systemic reform are crucial steps toward healing and justice. As more stories of the MMIWG crisis are shared, it is vital that the public and policymakers listen, act, and stand in solidarity with the families who are still waiting for answers.
For Indigenous communities, the fight to end the MMIWG crisis is far from over. As the National Day of Awareness reminds us, it is time for action, not just words. The missing and murdered women and girls of these communities must not be forgotten.
