The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Crisis: A Hidden Epidemic

The ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is one of North America’s most pressing, yet largely overlooked, human rights issues. Despite the scale of violence Native women face, their stories often remain untold, their cases unsolved, and their communities unsupported. As Indigenous women vanish or are found murdered at alarming rates, the federal and local governments’ responses continue to fall short. This article delves into the root causes, current efforts, challenges, and future steps necessary to address this crisis. The Scale of the Problem Indigenous women in the United States and Canada face disproportionately high rates of violence, with a murder rate more than ten times the national average on some reservations. In 2016 alone, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, yet only 116 of these cases were recorded in the Department of Justice’s federal missing persons database. This gap in reporting speaks to a broader systemic failure in addressing the plight of Indigenous women, whose disappearances and deaths often go unnoticed, unreported, or unresolved. Indigenous women experience violence at staggering rates. Studies show that over 84% of Native women will experience violence in their lifetime, and more than 56% will endure sexual violence. Additionally, 96% of Native American women who report sexual violence identify non-Native individuals as the perpetrators. These figures expose a disturbing pattern of systemic neglect, discrimination, and jurisdictional confusion. Root Causes: A Legacy of Trauma and Systemic Neglect The crisis of MMIWG cannot be understood without addressing the historical and intergenerational trauma stemming from colonization. For over 500 years, Indigenous communities have faced the devastating impacts of forced displacement, cultural suppression, and systemic violence. This legacy has contributed to the present vulnerabilities of Native women and girls. Jurisdictional issues exacerbate these challenges. Tribal authorities often lack the power to investigate or prosecute non-Native offenders, who account for the vast majority of violent crimes against Native women. Federal and state authorities, who have jurisdiction in many of these cases, often fail to act swiftly or at all, leaving Indigenous women unprotected and their cases unresolved. This lack of coordination and legal authority creates significant gaps in justice, enabling perpetrators to act with impunity. Moreover, tribal law enforcement agencies frequently lack the necessary resources to conduct thorough investigations, further complicating efforts to solve MMIWG cases. In many instances, investigations are delayed or abandoned due to insufficient manpower, funding, and access to crucial tools like national crime databases. Government Response: Progress and Limitations In recent years, increased advocacy from grassroots organizations and Indigenous communities has prompted some governmental action. In 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053, directing federal agencies to work with Tribal Nations to address the MMIWG crisis. This order mandated improved coordination, data collection, and culturally responsive solutions. It was a significant step forward but remains insufficient without proper enforcement and ongoing support. Legislative measures such as Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act, both passed in 2020, aim to improve data collection, coordinate law enforcement efforts, and provide resources to combat violence against Native women. Savanna’s Act directs the Department of Justice to develop protocols for handling MMIWG cases, while the Not Invisible Act established an advisory committee to provide recommendations on preventing violence in Native communities. The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2022 included provisions to strengthen tribal sovereignty and expand tribal jurisdiction over non-Native offenders. This allows tribes to prosecute non-Native individuals for crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, addressing one of the most significant barriers to justice in Indian Country. Despite these efforts, challenges persist. One of the most critical obstacles is the lack of accurate data and standardized reporting across federal, state, and tribal agencies. Many MMIWG cases are misclassified, unreported, or not investigated thoroughly, preventing a comprehensive understanding of the crisis’s full scope. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies often fail to implement protocols effectively, and many tribal communities still lack the resources and infrastructure needed to conduct proper investigations and support victims’ families. The Role of Tribal Sovereignty in Addressing MMIWG Strengthening tribal sovereignty is essential to addressing the MMIWG crisis. Tribal governments must have the authority to protect their members and pursue justice for victims of violence. The 2022 reauthorization of VAWA made significant strides by expanding tribal jurisdiction over non-Native perpetrators. However, more work is needed to empower tribes fully. Expanding tribal jurisdiction further to cover a wider range of crimes, improving funding for tribal law enforcement, and enhancing victim services are all necessary steps. Tribes must also have better access to federal crime databases, such as the National Crime Information Center, to track and solve cases more effectively. The Tribal Access Program (TAP) has been instrumental in providing tribes with the tools to input and retrieve information from national databases, but its reach remains limited, and more tribes need access. Inter-agency cooperation is also crucial. Implementing standardized procedures for investigations that involve multiple jurisdictions—federal, state, and tribal—can prevent cases from falling through the cracks. Enhanced collaboration between tribal law enforcement and federal agencies like the FBI can streamline efforts and reduce delays in responding to MMIWG cases. Challenges and Barriers to Justice Several barriers continue to impede justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women. One of the most significant is the lack of jurisdictional clarity. When a Native woman goes missing or is murdered, there is often confusion over which agency has authority to investigate. Tribal police may not have the jurisdiction to arrest non-Native perpetrators, while federal or state authorities may be slow to intervene, if they do at all. This jurisdictional maze often leads to delayed responses in the critical hours following a disappearance. Law enforcement agencies, constrained by unclear or overlapping authority, frequently pass responsibility from one to another, causing cases to be mishandled or forgotten. The recent Supreme Court case, Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta (2022), has added another layer of complexity. The ruling allows states to prosecute crimes committed by non-Native individuals against Native Americans in Indian Country, a decision that weakens tribal sovereignty by introducing state authority into previously exclusive tribal and federal jurisdiction. Many tribal leaders view this as a significant step backward, fearing that it will further erode their ability to protect their communities and secure justice for victims of violence. Grassroots Advocacy and Raising Awareness In the face of systemic failures, grassroots organizations and Indigenous women themselves have become the driving force behind the MMIWG movement. Activists have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness, pressure governments to act, and support the families of victims. These efforts have included public demonstrations, media campaigns, and the establishment of community-based programs to address the crisis. May 5th has been designated as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Relatives. This annual day of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the countless lives lost and the ongoing need for action. Indigenous women’s voices are central to the fight for justice, and their activism has been instrumental in bringing the MMIWG crisis to the forefront of public consciousness. The Path Forward: Solutions and Future Trends Addressing the MMIWG crisis will require a multifaceted approach that goes beyond legislative fixes and federal mandates. Tribal sovereignty must be respected and expanded, and the federal government must provide adequate resources to support tribal law enforcement and victim services. Improving data collection is critical. The lack of reliable, standardized data makes it difficult to understand the full scope of the MMIWG crisis and hinders the allocation of resources. Implementing consistent protocols for reporting, investigating, and documenting MMIWG cases across all levels of government is essential to developing an effective response. Moreover, culturally responsive solutions must be prioritized. Many Indigenous communities have traditional justice systems that could play a significant role in addressing violence against Native women. Supporting tribal-led initiatives that incorporate cultural practices, community involvement, and healing strategies will not only address the immediate crisis but also contribute to long-term resilience and recovery for Native communities. Education and public awareness campaigns are also crucial. The MMIWG crisis has been marginalized for too long, and continued advocacy is necessary to keep the issue in the public eye. Media outlets, educational institutions, and community organizations must collaborate to ensure that the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women are told, and their lives are honored. Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is not just a Native issue—it is a national and international human rights crisis that demands urgent attention. While recent legislative measures and government actions represent steps in the right direction, they are not enough. Addressing this epidemic will require sustained effort, collaboration, and accountability from federal, state, and tribal governments, as well as the broader public. The stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women must no longer go untold. Their families deserve justice, their communities deserve protection, and their lives deserve to be honored. Only through a collective, sustained commitment to addressing the underlying causes of this crisis can we begin to heal the wounds inflicted by centuries of neglect and violence. The future depends on how we respond today—by supporting tribal sovereignty, improving legal protections, and ensuring that the voices of Indigenous women are heard and acted upon. Only then can we hope to bring an end to the MMIWG crisis and restore safety and justice for Native women and girls.