Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): A Lakota Voice
For the Lakota people, the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) is not a distant issue—it is deeply personal.
Our relative's son, and his sister, were taken from their families last year. You may recall hearing about the Braids for Cole movement but also our uncle, Neil, has been missing for seven years. These are not just names; they are our relatives, our loved ones, and integral members of our community—whose lives mattered.
This epidemic is a harsh reality in Indian Country, where violence against Indigenous women, in particular, is not only pervasive but often ignored by those outside our communities. Families are left with questions that remain unanswered. Every day, we are reminded of the systemic failures that allow this tragedy to continue.
The Reality We Face:
Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the national average.
Durango Herald: A 2022 article states that Indigenous women face murder rates at 10 times the national average.
Homicide is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous people aged 10-24.
Sources, resources and links to articles, including our blog:
Union of Concerned Scientists
NCAI VAW Resources and statistics
10 Times more likely
3rd Leading Cause
Police Fail to Track: NPR/ Seattle Research Firm
Government Accountability Office
National Library of Medicine
Indigenous USA and Canada
Administration for Children and Families
MMIWG Report: AIRC
Sage Journal Research Paper
BIA: Crisis
Remembering ‘countless’ missing or murdered native people
Silent Genocide MMIWR Resources
Critical Issue
The Crisis in Our Communities:
In South Dakota, the rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives are among the highest in the nation. Native women endure violence at disproportionately high rates, yet resources to investigate and address these crimes remain woefully insufficient. Families are left searching for justice on their own, with little support from systems that are meant to protect them.
Our Commitment:
For the Lakota, the fight against MMIWR is about more than just statistics—it is about our relatives, our stories, and our future. We honor Cole Brings Plenty, Neil Little Eagle, and the countless others impacted by this crisis. We refuse to let their stories be forgotten. This is a call to action—not just for our people, but for everyone who believes in justice and human dignity.
What Can You Do?
Learn the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives.
Advocate for systemic changes in law enforcement and judicial systems.
Support grassroots organizations working to protect and empower Native communities.
Say Their Names. See Their Faces. Demand Justice.
Together, we can shine a light on this epidemic and fight for the safety and dignity of Indigenous women and families. Join us in ensuring their voices are heard and their lives are honored.
Some Organizations working on these critical issues:
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC)
NIWRC advocates for the safety of Indigenous women and children, provides resources for communities, and works on policy and legal issues surrounding violence against Native women.
Website: niwrc.org
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW)
CSVANW works to reduce violence against Native women by advocating for systemic change, providing training, and supporting survivors in Native communities.
Website: csvanw.org
Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains (NWSGP)
NWSGP focuses on advocating for justice and healing for Native women and girls who have experienced violence, and it plays a key role in efforts to address MMIWR.
Website: nwsgp.org
Red Feather Woman
A grassroots organization dedicated to ending violence against Native women by offering support, education, and advocacy for communities impacted by violence and missing persons cases.
Website: redfeatherwoman.org
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA (MMIWUSA)
This organization focuses on raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and offering support to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives.
Website: mmiwusa.org