May 5 and the MMIW Crisis: What It Is and How You Can Help

May 5 is MMIW Day, serving as an integral reminder of the alarming number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

This ever-growing movement has taken the United States and Canada by storm. More and more individuals acknowledge that these missing and murdered women deserve justice and recognition.

Why is the MMIW Movement Important?

The MMIW movement is critical for several reasons—primarily because the number of Indigenous women and girls who go missing or are murdered occurs at a much higher rate than any other demographic in the United States.

On top of that, the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls that are actually reported is significantly lower than the reality.

“The National Crime Information Center reports that, in 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, though the US Department of Justice’s federal missing person database, NamUs, only logged 116 cases.”

What is the MMIW Red Hand?

The MMIW movement utilizes a red handprint to symbolize the connection between our physical and spiritual worlds. Many Native American tribes believe the dead can see red, so by wearing a red handprint, we are calling for help from our ancestors and spiritual guides.

Many activists put the red handprint over their mouths as a powerful symbol of the missing Indigenous women whose voices are not heard. Further, this handprint stands for the alarming silence from the media and law enforcement regarding this crisis.

Celebrities like D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai have worn a red handprint over their mouths in hopes of drawing more attention and action to the MMIW movement.

How You Can Raise Awareness on MMIW Day

Raising awareness is a powerful step toward justice. Here are a few ways individuals can help:

• Wear red: Join the collective show of solidarity by wearing red clothing or accessories to honor MMIW.
• Share stories and statistics: Use social media to share real stories, facts, and visuals highlighting the MMIW crisis. Awareness starts with education!
• Use hashtags: Include tags like #MMIW, #NoMoreStolenSisters, and #MMIWG2S to reach a broader audience.
• Support Native-led organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that are actively working on the ground for justice and prevention.

Each action—no matter how small—helps keep this issue visible and voices heard.