The Unfolding Crisis: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on Turtle Island
Across the vast and diverse landscapes of Turtle Island – a name many Indigenous peoples use for the North American continent – an urgent and heartbreaking crisis continues to unfold, largely in the shadows of mainstream consciousness. Thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people have gone missing or been murdered, their cases often dismissed, under-investigated, or altogether ignored. This epidemic of violence, known collectively as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), is not merely a collection of isolated incidents but a systemic tragedy rooted in centuries of colonialism, discrimination, and a profound devaluation of Indigenous lives.
The statistics, though harrowing, only tell part of the story, as many cases remain unrecorded or misclassified. In Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, launched in 2016, concluded in its 2019 final report that the violence constitutes a "genocide." It found that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than non-Indigenous women, and 16 times more likely to be killed or disappear than white women. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported in 2014 that over 1,181 Indigenous women were murdered or went missing between 1980 and 2012, a figure widely acknowledged as a severe undercount. Across the border in the United States, data is even scarcer and more fragmented, but the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) identified 5,712 cases of MMIW across 71 cities in 2016 alone, with only 116 of these logged in the Department of Justice database. These numbers represent not just lives lost, but families shattered, communities traumatized, and a collective cry for justice that has long been unheeded.
The roots of the MMIW crisis are deeply entrenched in the historical trauma inflicted upon Indigenous communities. Beginning with European colonization, Indigenous peoples have endured policies of forced assimilation, displacement, and cultural destruction. The residential school system in Canada and boarding schools in the U.S. tore children from their families, severing cultural ties and fostering intergenerational trauma that continues to manifest in various forms of social and health disparities. This historical subjugation created a societal environment where Indigenous women, already marginalized by race and gender, became uniquely vulnerable to violence. The legacy of these policies has systematically eroded Indigenous governance, economic stability, and social cohesion, leaving many Indigenous women facing poverty, homelessness, and a lack of access to essential services, all factors that increase their risk of violence.
One of the most insidious aspects of this crisis is the pervasive systemic failure within law enforcement and the justice system. For decades, Indigenous families have reported that police often treat missing persons reports involving Indigenous women with indifference, skepticism, or even outright disdain. Cases are frequently misclassified as runaways, suicides, or disappearances by choice, leading to minimal investigation or no investigation at all. "It’s a pattern we’ve seen time and again," says Sarah Deer, a Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen and leading scholar on tribal justice. "The assumption is often that Indigenous women are involved in high-risk lifestyles, which immediately devalues their lives and excuses a lack of serious effort." This victim-blaming mentality not only hinders justice but also retraumatizes families already grappling with unimaginable grief.
Jurisdictional complexities further compound the problem, particularly on reservations. Law enforcement authority is often a confusing patchwork of tribal police, state police, and federal agencies, leading to communication breakdowns and a lack of clear responsibility. If a crime occurs on tribal land, federal agencies like the FBI may have jurisdiction, but if the victim is Indigenous and the perpetrator is non-Indigenous, or vice-versa, the legal framework becomes even more convoluted. This "jurisdictional maze" often results in cases falling through the cracks, with perpetrators evading accountability and families left without answers. The lack of resources for tribal police departments, who are often the first responders, further exacerbates these challenges, leaving them ill-equipped to handle complex investigations.
The media’s role in perpetuating the invisibility of MMIW cannot be overstated. News coverage of missing persons disproportionately focuses on white women, a phenomenon often referred to as "missing white woman syndrome." Indigenous women and girls, when they are covered at all, are often portrayed through stereotypical lenses, with details of their lives sensationalized or their cases presented in a way that implies culpability. This lack of respectful and sustained media attention means that the public remains largely unaware of the scale of the crisis, reducing pressure on authorities to act and reinforcing the idea that these lives are less valuable.
Beyond individual acts of violence, the MMIW crisis is also linked to wider socio-economic issues. The proliferation of "man camps" – temporary housing for transient male workers in resource extraction industries like oil, gas, and mining – has been directly correlated with increased rates of violence, sexual assault, and trafficking in nearby Indigenous communities. These camps often bring an influx of outsiders to rural areas, straining local resources and creating an environment where Indigenous women and girls become vulnerable targets. Poverty, homelessness, and addiction, exacerbated by historical injustices and systemic neglect, also place Indigenous women at higher risk, creating cycles of vulnerability that are difficult to escape.
Yet, amidst the despair, there is a powerful and unwavering movement for justice led by Indigenous families, survivors, and advocates. Organizations like the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) in the U.S. and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) have tirelessly campaigned for change, raising awareness through grassroots efforts, vigils, and social media campaigns using the hashtag #MMIW. Families, often feeling abandoned by the state, have become their own investigators and advocates, refusing to let their loved ones be forgotten. "Our women are not statistics; they are beloved daughters, sisters, mothers, and aunties," declares a common refrain at MMIW rallies. "They deserve justice, and we will not stop fighting until they get it."
The Canadian National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice provide a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the crisis, calling for transformative changes across all levels of government and society, from policing and justice reform to investments in housing, education, and healthcare for Indigenous communities. In the U.S., initiatives like Operation Lady Justice, a federal task force, and the Not Invisible Act have been established to improve data collection and coordination among agencies. However, the implementation of these recommendations remains a slow and challenging process, demanding sustained political will and genuine collaboration with Indigenous nations.
Addressing the MMIW crisis requires more than just policy changes; it demands a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and a reckoning with the ongoing legacy of colonialism. It necessitates culturally appropriate services, increased funding for Indigenous-led initiatives, and robust training for law enforcement and justice professionals on Indigenous history, cultures, and the specific vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous women. Ultimately, it calls for the recognition and affirmation of Indigenous sovereignty, allowing Indigenous communities to govern and protect their own people effectively.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis on Turtle Island is a searing indictment of systemic injustice and a testament to the enduring resilience of Indigenous peoples. It is a clarion call to action, reminding us that true reconciliation and justice cannot be achieved until every Indigenous woman and girl is safe, valued, and afforded the dignity and protection that is their inherent right. Their stories, their lives, and their pursuit of justice must no longer be ignored; they demand our attention, our empathy, and our unwavering commitment to change.
