May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the high rates of violence experienced by Native American and Alaska Native communities. MMIP highlights the urgent need to address the number of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year. Native communities face higher rates of violence than the national average, with Native women and girls especially impacted by sexual violence, gender-based violence, and intimate partner violence. Native men also experience higher rates of violence compared to other groups.
The statistics are alarming. Homicide is one of the leading causes of death for American Indian and Alaska Native people between the ages of 1–44, ranking 4th for males and 6th for females. About 2 in 5 Native women report being raped in their lifetime, and more than 80% of Native men and women report experiencing some form of violence. Many cases involve intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological abuse. Children are also affected, with over 10% of homicides involving victims under 18. Despite these numbers, there is still a lack of complete data, which makes it harder to fully understand and respond to the crisis.
There are ongoing efforts to improve awareness and support for families impacted by MMIP. Communities are working to increase funding for search efforts, provide financial support to families, raise awareness through outreach and public campaigns, and cover costs related to reunification, burial, and counseling services. If you or someone you know needs help or wants to report a missing person, support is available. You can contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System at 833-872-5176, the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 844-762-8483, or the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit at 833-560-2065. Raising awareness is an important step toward change, healing, and justice for Indigenous communities.
READ more on MMIP from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Affairs.