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The Problem

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis describes the disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearances, and murder faced by Indigenous women and girls in North America.

Key Statistics

  • Higher Rates: More than 4 in 5 Native women experience violence in their lifetimes.
  • Murder Rates: Homicide rates on some reservations are more than 10 times the national average.
  • Data Gaps: Thousands of missing Native women have been logged by tribal and national crime databases, while federal missing persons databases historically track only a small fraction of those cases.

Root Causes and Systemic Issues

  • Jurisdictional Confusion: Complex legal boundaries between tribal, local, state, and federal authorities often delay or block active investigations. 
  • Extractive Industries: Proximity to temporary worker housing ("man camps") near reservations correlates with increases in sexual assault, trafficking, and violent crime.
  • Underreporting and Bias: Systemic racism, poor record-keeping, and a lack of mainstream media attention leave many cases unsolved and uninvestigated.
Advocacy and Resources
  • The Movement: Grassroots organizers raise awareness through marches, policy pushes, and community-led databases.
  • Legislation: Laws like Savanna’s Act aim to improve federal data collection and inter-agency coordination.
  • Support Services: Immediate help for domestic or dating violence is available via the StrongHearts Native Helpline or by calling 1-844-7NATIVE. Additional educational toolkits and tracking data can be accessed through the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.

 

Sister Who Walks With Bears (Marge) Grow-Eppard  

Grow-Eppard is President of the CA Chapter of Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women and Persons (MMIW&P). She works actively to spread awareness about missing women so as to awaken the society to this terrible crime.S.A.V.E. is an advocate for this cause. If you want to contribute financially, please make a donation.

The MMIW&P members set up an exhibit on the Sacramento, CA Capitol grounds of red dresses,
each representing one of the hundreds of women who have disappeared.

S.A.V.E. Advocacy

These funds go to assist in spreading awareness of missing Native American women and girls in California.

Your contribution is deeply appreciated.

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