Brief History of Discrimination Against Indigenous Peoples
The issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) has been lingering since the first century of European colonization in the Americas more than 500 years ago. During this first wave of colonization (1492–1600), around 90% of Indigenous populations were killed because of conflicts and diseases, some of which included smallpox, measles, and pneumonia. Throughout history, European colonizers have fostered discrimination against Indigenous peoples, and mistreatment of Indigenous ensued for centuries after the beginnings of European colonization. This apathy and disrespect toward Indigenous Peoples combined with Americans’ growing demand for more land is what ultimately led to the passage of the infamous Indian Removal Act, which displaced thousands of Indigenous Americans, in 1830. While conditions for Indeginous Americans have improved, the high rates of violence against Indeginous peoples, specifically women and girls, show that this issue is far from over.
The Severity of the MMIW Issue
According to the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College, as of 2022, there were 5,487 reported cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. By the end of 2022, 658 cases were still open. Indigenous women and girls experience disproportionately high rates of murder, assault, and harassment. According to national statistics in 2022, 84.3% of Indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetime, and murder is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Movement
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement is a movement that advocates for an end to violence toward Indigenous women and seeks to raise awareness about the high rates of murders and disappearances of Indigenous peoples. The very first MMIW march was held in Vancouver, Canada, in the year 1992. The march has been held there annually ever since, and protests have expanded across Canada and the United States. May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and it is celebrated across the United States and Canada.
The best way for people to support the MMIW movement is by spreading awareness through sharing related stories and videos with others, supporting victims, and taking time to evaluate any internal biases or judgments.
Sources:
https://www.werIndeginous.org/articles/what-is-the-mmiw-movement
https://www.ifsw.org/statement-on-the-crisis-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X21000214
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/Indeginousvoices/timeline/169.html