NBC Montana: New resolution dedicates May 5 to MMIWG movement

A new resolution received bipartisan support to dedicate May 5 as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

The resolution, created by Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Steve Daines, sheds light on Native American women currently missing or who are murder victims.

“The Fort Belknap Indian Community strongly supports action to protect Native Women and Girls,” said President Stiffarm, Fort Belknap Indian Community. “Indian tribes must have the authority and resources needed to protect Native Women and Girls. Designating a ‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls’ helps us raise awareness and increases the calls for action by Congress and the Administration. We thank Senator Tester and Senator Daines for their continued support. As our life-givers, we must never lose sight of the sacred and vital role that Native Woman and Girls have in giving, protecting, and preserving our families, culture, and way of life.”

Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Steve Daines released the following statements below:

U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines this week successfully passed their resolution marking May 5th as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

The Senators’ resolution raises awareness, honors the Native American women who are missing or murdered, and identifies solutions to end this violent epidemic.

“Native American women and girls deserve to feel safe in their communities – and raising awareness of the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) is a critically important piece of the fight,” said Tester. “We’ve got to keep pushing for solutions to combat violence against Indigenous women and girls, like my public safety measures that bolster law enforcement in Indian Country and hold violent offenders accountable. I’ll keep fighting to ensure survivors have the tools and services they need to get back on their feet, and law enforcement officers have what they need to address this epidemic once and for all.”

“It is essential to keep the memory of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls like Hanna Harris at the forefront of our discussions as we confront this tragic crisis,” said Daines. “She would have turned 32 this week, but her family, like countless others, will be honoring her memory and another milestone without their loved one. I will keep fighting to raise awareness and end this crisis for our Montana tribal communities.

“The Fort Belknap Indian Community strongly supports action to protect Native Women and Girls,” said President Stiffarm, Fort Belknap Indian Community. “Indian tribes must have the authority and resources needed to protect Native Women and Girls. Designating a ‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls’ helps us raise awareness and increases the calls for action by Congress and the Administration. We thank Senator Tester and Senator Daines for their continued support. As our life-givers, we must never lose sight of the sacred and vital role that Native Woman and Girls have in giving, protecting, and preserving our families, culture, and way of life.”

Native American women and girls in Montana face a murder rate that is 10 times higher than the national average. According to the National Institute of Justice, more than 80 percent of Native American women have experienced violence and almost half have experienced it within the past year.

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.