April 29 begins the 2024 Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives. Every May 5 and for the first week of May, we remember the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) and commit to action. Tribal member programs and Native advocates and survivors are leading the way, honoring relatives, and working for change.
This year, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center has a schedule of events for taking action every day:
Schedule of Events
Monday, April 29
Wear Red.
Wear red today in honor of MMIWR. Share your photo online with these hashtags: #MMIWR #MMIWRActionNow #NoMoreStolenSisters
Tuesday, April 30
Tell Congress.
Use NIWRC’s pre-written letter to urge your members of Congress to pass the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act (S. 2695/H.R. 4524). It takes less than 2 minutes to take action!
Wednesday, May 1
Go Local!
Share and support MMIWR events near you using the hashtags #MMIWRGoLocal. Check out Yakama Nation’s MMIWR Symposium, Lummi Victims of Crime’s Candlelit Vigil and Walk Ceremony, and other events across the state.
Thursday, May 2
Honor.
Honoring women is prevention. How do you honor MMIWR? How do you honor Indigenous women? Tell us by using the hashtag #HonorMMIWR.
Friday, May 3
Engage.
Follow @niwrc on social media and use the hashtags #MMIWRActionNow, #NoMoreStolenSisters, and #MMIWR to show support for the week of action and end violence against Indigenous women.
Saturday, May 4
Move!
Walk, run, and move in honor of MMIWR. Join Rising Hearts for the 6th Annual Running for Justice in person and virtual 5K from May 3-6.
Sunday, May 5 (Day of Action)
Act.
Women experience violence every day. Ending the MMIWR crisis is a commitment to everyday action. Continue to take action all year to stop this crisis of violence.
Looking for some ways to get involved? Here are some ideas to get started:
- Read the Urban Indian Health Institute’s 2018 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report which highlights the MMIW crisis and the high number of cases in the Seattle metro area
- If and when a Native relative is missing or murdered, access this toolkit on Understanding and Responding to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women for Families and Communities
- Learn more from the Yakima Herald’s in-depth series, The Vanished, or watch this powerful video by phenomenal youth athlete and former WSCADV intern Rosalie Fish (Cowlitz and Muckleshoot)
- Check out the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center’s MMIWR resources to learn more and bring the learning to your community.
Is your program or community taking action? Let us know. We would love to hear from you.
May everyone return home safely.
