Thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people across North America have gone missing or been murdered—often without proper investigations, media attention, or justice. The MMIW crisis reflects deep-rooted systemic violence rather than isolated incidents.
What Does MMIW Mean?
MMIW stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It refers to the ongoing crisis in the United States and Canada where Indigenous women face disproportionately high levels of violence, disappearance, and homicide.
The Scale of the Crisis
Depending on the region, Indigenous women are two to ten times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women. Many cases are misclassified, underreported, or never solved—especially along highways, rural areas, and near industrial sites.
Root Causes: Beyond Individual Crimes
The MMIW crisis results from intersecting historical and present-day factors:
- Colonial violence and the dehumanization of Indigenous women
- Jurisdictional gaps between tribal, state, and federal authorities
- Racism and lack of prioritization by law enforcement
- Poverty, housing insecurity, and social marginalization
- Industrial projects, work camps, and transit corridors
Institutional Failure
Reports are often dismissed, investigations delayed, and families ignored. Legal fragmentation frequently allows perpetrators—especially non-Indigenous offenders—to evade accountability.
The Power of Memory and Visibility
Red handprints, red dresses, vigils, and grassroots movements symbolize the absence of the victims and demand justice. Indigenous-led activism has brought international attention to the crisis.
Practical Wisdom
- MMIW is a systemic crisis, not a series of isolated cases.
- Visibility is the first step toward justice.
- Families deserve truth, respect, and accountability.
- Indigenous voices must lead solutions.
- Remembering is an act of resistance.
Who Is This Relevant For?
- People engaged in human rights and social justice.
- Journalists, educators, and students.
- Policy makers and NGOs.
- Anyone seeking to understand systemic violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there so little media coverage?
Many cases are ignored or deprioritized by institutions and media outlets.
Are there official inquiries?
Canada has conducted a national inquiry, though many recommendations remain unimplemented.
Does MMIW affect only women?
No. Girls and Two-Spirit people are also affected.
Conclusion
The MMIW crisis is an open wound in North America. It exposes how Indigenous lives are devalued and why urgent structural reform, accountability, and collective responsibility are necessary.