Fighting for our Sisters

The phenomenon of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) represents a historical and ongoing crisis involving pervasive violence against Indigenous women that began centuries ago.
The lack of recognition from government and societal institutions exacerbates the issue, leading Native communities to advocate for MMIWG to reclaim their narratives and honor lost lives.
This article aims to provide a holistic overview of the history of MMIWG, the inadequate governmental response, and community-led advocacy efforts.
It combines factual information and emotional narratives to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

A personal reflection invites readers to empathize with the crisis by considering their loved ones and the experience of missing persons, illustrating the emotional toll when authorities fail to respond.
Indigenous women experience violence at disproportionately higher rates (4.1 times more than the general population, Saramo, 2020).
The issue is compounded by the role of technology, which can increase stalking and intimate partner violence against Indigenous women (Bailey & Shayan, 2020).

The article emphasizes the need for decolonization, defined as the undoing of narratives and power structures that prioritize Western thought over Indigenous knowledge.
terms used by the authors include Native, Indigenous, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native American, representing diverse identities.
The focus is on the U.S. historical context, including legislation and Indigenous accounts, acknowledging that violence against Indigenous women is part of a broader system of oppression affecting MMI or MMIP (Two-Spirit and gender nonbinary people).

The method of inquiry involved compiling data, articles, and statistics from multiple sources while prioritizing Indigenous perspectives.
Methodological Approach:
- Search of academic databases for relevant literature with criteria focusing on MMIWG as the primary topic.
- Excluded articles older than 20 years or not focused on MMIWG.
- Identified a total of 54 articles, most of which presented a Western lens.
The significance of storytelling as a method of communication and healing is emphasized, suggesting that narratives help to build relationships, convey lived experiences, and promote regeneration within Indigenous communities.
Weaving is introduced as a metaphor for integrating diverse knowledge systems and recognizing the interconnections within Indigenous cultures.

Traditional academic conventions can limit Native voices, maintaining control over how Indigenous knowledge is expressed and reproduced.
Citation practices in academia tend to exclude Indigenous knowledges, which are often disregarded unless validated through conventional peer-reviewed processes, thus denying the legitimacy of Indigenous sources.
The authors assert their Indigenous perspectives through storytelling, recognizing the importance of emotion and connection in their narratives about MMIWG.

Personal stories of Dawn Nakedhead and the community's journey to find missing individuals illustrate the grassroots efforts often necessary when official channels fail.
Statistics indicate that over 90% of MMIWG cases go unreported by mainstream media (Lucchesi & Echo-Hawk, 2021).
Historical context: The devaluation and dehumanization of Indigenous women began with colonialism, leading to systemic violence and a tragic history of violence against Indigenous women that continues to this day.

Types of violence discussed include:
- Direct Violence: Sexual assault, murder, and physical assault. Intentional violence that results in immediate harm.
- Structural Violence: Longstanding social inequalities, including poverty and lack of access to resources that undermine human potential.
- Cultural Violence: The societal norms that justify and perpetuate both direct and structural violence.
Statistics from the National Institute of Justice indicate that more than one in three Native men and women experience violence yearly data.

Colonization characterized Native people through dehumanizing narratives, fostering an environment that allowed for systemic violence.
Narratives labeling Native women as either Indian Princesses or sexualized figures contribute to ongoing victimization.
Historical violence against Native women is sustained by flawed societal perspectives that dismiss their value and rights.

The article emphasizes the increasing importance of activism and the reclamation of narratives through community action, especially utilizing social media for awareness.
Examples of activism include:
- The establishment of a centralized database for MMIWG cases (Sovereign Bodies Institute).
- The creation of a National Day of Remembrance (May 5th) to honor MMIWG, initiated after advocacy from communities and congressional support.
- The use of symbolic actions, such as wearing red dresses, to raise awareness and honor those lost.

The authors encourage readers to reflect on their roles concerning MMIWG and issue a call for allyship that empowers Indigenous voices, challenges harmful stereotypes, and fosters healing.
The importance of having respectful conversations about MMIWG to change prevailing narratives is underscored.

A vision for a society that recognizes the worth of Indigenous women and a commitment to breaking the silence around the violence they face is presented.
The authors advocate for a collective effort to respect, remember, and call for justice for MMIWG in a way that ultimately heals communities.
The ethical responsibility of non-Indigenous allies to engage in meaningful change is emphasized, cultivating a collaborative environment for advocacy and healing.

Individual Names Mentioned and Ages of MMIWG