National Week of Action for MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives) April 29 - May 5, 2024

About MMIR

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) crisis is a pressing concern globally and in the United States, particularly in regions where Indigenous communities face ongoing marginalization and discrimination.

Indigenous adults and children of different genders, including males, females, and Two-Spirit individuals, experience high rates of violence.1 Among American Indian/Alaska Native people, 84% of women and 82% of men experience violent victimization in their lifetime.1

The root causes of MMIR are deeply entrenched in the colonial legacies, systemic racism, and socioeconomic disparities faced by Indigenous individuals.2 Historical trauma resulting from centuries of colonization, forced assimilation policies, and the disruption of Indigenous ways of life have increased Indigenous individuals' risk of experiencing violence.3,4

In general, there is a lack of awareness around the MMIR crisis. There are gaps in MMIR reporting, which includes communication and alert systems, review and investigation of unresolved cases, jurisdiction issues, racism and bias from law enforcement, data problems, and media reporting. In 2016, only 116 out of a total 5,712 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women were logged into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database.5

MMIR represents a critical human rights crisis that demands urgent attention and concerted action from government leaders, Indigenous leaders, civil society organizations, and the broader public.

National Week of Action for MMIR

(Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives)

April 29 - May 5, 2024

About MMIR

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) crisis is a pressing concern globally and in the United States, particularly in regions where Indigenous communities face ongoing marginalization and discrimination.

Indigenous adults and children of different genders, including males, females, and Two-Spirit individuals, experience high rates of violence.1 Among American Indian/Alaska Native people, 84% of women and 82% of men experience violent victimization in their lifetime.1

The root causes of MMIR are deeply entrenched in the colonial legacies, systemic racism, and socioeconomic disparities faced by Indigenous individuals.2 Historical trauma resulting from centuries of colonization, forced assimilation policies, and the disruption of Indigenous ways of life have increased Indigenous individuals' risk of experiencing violence.3,4

In general, there is a lack of awareness around the MMIR crisis. There are gaps in MMIR reporting, which includes communication and alert systems, review and investigation of unresolved cases, jurisdiction issues, racism and bias from law enforcement, data problems, and media reporting. In 2016, only 116 out of a total 5,712 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women were logged into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database.5

MMIR represents a critical human rights crisis that demands urgent attention and concerted action from government leaders, Indigenous leaders, civil society organizations, and the broader public.

MMIR Data

The data above highlight that MMIR continues to occur and affects American Indian/Alaska Natives in the three-state area (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin). When compared with white people, American Indian/Alaska Native people experience a higher rate of missing and murdered cases in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. American Indian/Alaska Native people in Minnesota have the highest rates of MMIR among these states.

Women make up the majority of MMIR cases in all three states. In Michigan and Minnesota, women represent 7 out of 8 MMIR cases, while in Wisconsin, women account for about two-thirds of MMIR cases.

When analyzing by both state and age groups, the most affected demographics are individuals age 25 to 34 and 45 to 54 in Michigan, 0 to 17 in Minnesota, and 35 to 44 in Wisconsin.

Take Action

In an increasingly connected world, we must recognize the human rights crises like MMIR that affect our communities. MMIR demands our attention, understanding, and collective action.

We can reduce the number of missing and murdered relatives by educating those around us, addressing intergenerational trauma, practicing traditional ways, and promoting healing.

References

1. Congressional Research Service. Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP): overview of recent research, legislation, and selected issues for Congress. Updated July 3, 2023. Accessed April 9, 2024. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47010/6

2. Walters KL, Beltrán RE, Huh D, Evans-Campbell T. Dis-placement and dis-ease: land, place, and health among American Indians and Alaska Natives. In: Santos RG, Laird EH, eds. Indigenous Health: Culture, Community, and Care. Springer; 2019:33-46.

3. Brave Heart MY, DeBruyn LM. The American Indian Holocaust: healing historical unresolved grief. Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res. 1998;8(2), 60–82.

4. Brockie TN, Dana-Sacco G, Wallen GR, Wilcox HC, Campbell JC. The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to PTSD, Depression, Poly-Drug Use and Suicide Attempt in Reservation-Based Native American Adolescents and Young Adults. Am J Community Psychol. 2015;55(3-4), 411–421. doi: 10.1007/s10464-015-9721-3

5. Urban Indian Health Institute, a Division of the Seattle Indian Health Board. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: a snapshot of data from 71 urban cities in the United States. Published November 14, 2018. Accessed April 9, 2024. https://www.uihi.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/11/

Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-and-Girls-Report.pdf

6. United States Census Bureau. Tables. Updated 2020. Accessed April 9, 2024. https://data.census.gov/all

7. Protected data source.