Date/Time and Location

About Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

May 5 is recognized across the United States and Canada as the National Awareness Day for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. People participate in marches, protests, fundraisers, and more and many wear red in recognition of the day. 

In 2022, the White House issued a proclamation that extended the day to cover all gender identities, changing Women and Girls to Persons. As the Native Hope site mentions, "While women and girls are the primary victims of violence and human trafficking among Native Americans, they are not alone. People of all ages are victims of these horrific crimes, including men, boys, infants, and the elderly." (Source: Native Hope).

Facts and Figures

84.3%
or more than four in five Indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetime.
5,712
cases of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls were reported in 2016
81.6%
or more than four in five Indigenous men have experienced violence in their lifetime.

Source: Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of Interior. 

Resources

Our Bodies, Our Stories

Published by the Urban Indian Health Institute, Our Bodies, Our Stories is a series of reports that details the scope of violence against Native women and people across the nation. 

Native Hope's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Campaign

Native Hope's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls MMIWG Awareness Campaign provides a variety of resources, including a short film on issues facing Native American women and girls, a description of the Red Hand symbol, key statistics and figures, and a survey to test your knowledge of the top contributing factors to the continued high rates of violence against Indigenous women.