Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is a travesty of incredible proportions. A study done by the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHU) in 2016 showed that 5,712 cases of MMIWG were reported to the authorities, yet a shocking mere 116 were actually logged into the system.
The UIHU spent a year reviewing 506 cases and found that, for those cases were the perpetrator was found and identified, 83% were male and half of those were non-Native people.
The study showed that most cases of MMIWG were simply labeled “domestic violence” and dismissed instead of prosecuted. This dismissal instead of seeking justice is itself an entire conversation about systemic racism because domestic violence is taken more seriously when it is against a white woman.
The numbers for the study were skewed by racism as well. The researchers found that several cases were mislabeled either because the victims were not properly identified as Native American at the time of death or because they did not live on reservations at the time. This indicates that there are likely many many more victims who remain undocumented. The Department of Justice already reports that Native women, girls, non-binary, and two-spirits are already ten times more likely to be murdered compared to the national average murder rate. It is heartbreaking to think what could be the true numbers.
In 2020, Congress passed the Not Invisible Law (Senate Bill 982), which states its purpose to “ensure prevention efforts, grants, and programs of Federal agencies related to the murder of, trafficking of, and missing” Native Americans. Studies show that survivors of assault and violence are at a much higher risk of suicide, addiction, and homelessness. Through the funding, Congress hopes to increase education of law enforcement to recognize domestic violence and provide education and resources for survivors.
Websites:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls USA
Urban Indian Health Institute MMIWG Study
Not Invisible Law – 116th Congress Senate Bill 982
Documentary:
Books:
If I Go Missing (high school age)
