Preliminary Data on Murdered and Missing Native American Women
“Institutional racism is the process of purposely discriminating against certain groups of people through the use of biased laws or practices. Often, institutional racism is subtle and manifests itself in seemingly innocuous ways, but its effects are anything but subtle.” MMIW: A snapshot of data from 71 urban cities in the United States (1)
Overview
The crisis of murdered and missing Native American women, often called MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women), is a pressing concern in the United States. Native American women experience violence at alarming rates, with murder being a leading cause of death in some communities. This issue is complex, involving historical, legal, and social factors, and efforts are underway to improve safety and justice.
Statistics and Significance
Research indicates that in 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, but only 116 cases were logged in the federal missing persons database due to significant underreporting. Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis | Indian Affairs.The murder rate for Native women on reservations can be ten times higher than the national average, and murder is the third leading cause of death for Native womenMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)- Native Hope.More than 84% of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, including over 56% who have faced sexual violence. (2)
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to this crisis:
Historical Trauma: The legacy of colonization and forced displacement has long-term effects on Native communities, exacerbating violence.
Jurisdictional Issues: Legal complexities on reservations, especially involving non-Native perpetrators, hinder investigations.
Underreporting: Mistrust of law enforcement and fear of retaliation often prevent cases from being reported.
Lack of Resources: Tribal law enforcement frequently lacks funding and personnel to address these cases effectively.
Social and Economic Challenges: High poverty rates, substance abuse, and domestic violence in some communities add to the problem.
Efforts and Initiatives
Efforts to address the crisis include the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit, which focuses on investigating these cases. Missing and Murdered Unit | Indian Affairs. Legislative measures like Savanna’s Act aim to improve responses to missing and murdered Indigenous people.Savanna’s Act Advocacy and public awareness campaigns are also increasing, driven by Native American organizations and individuals.
Detailed Report
Background and Scope
The crisis, often referred to as MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women), has garnered increasing attention due to the disproportionate rates of violence against Native American women. Research confirms that Native American women face murder rates up to ten times higher than the national average in some reservation areas, with homicide being the third leading cause of death for Native women. This is particularly stark given that Native Americans constitute only about 2% of the US population, underscoring the severity of the issue.
Statistical Insights
Detailed statistics reveal the extent of the problem:
In 2016, the National Crime Information Center reported 5,712 cases of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, but the US Department of Justice’s federal missing person database, NamUs, logged only 116 cases, indicating significant underreporting.
A 2018 report by the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) identified 506 unique cases across 71 urban cities, with 128 missing, 280 murdered, and 98 of unknown status, highlighting the urban dimension of the crisisMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report | PDF. The youngest victim was less than 1 year old, and the oldest was 83, with 27% of cases involving victims aged 18 or under.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that in 2020, non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) females experienced the second highest rate of homicide, and it was in the top 10 leading causes of death for AI/AN females aged 1-45.
“Racial misclassification is the incorrect coding of an individual’s race or ethnicity, e.g. an American Indian and Alaska Native individual incorrectly coded as white. Misclassification generally favors the larger race, so while American Indians and Alaska Natives are often misclassified as white, the reverse of that is rare.” MMIW: A snapshot of data from 71 urban cities in the United States
Charted Breakdown of Cases from UIHI:
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to the high rates of murdered and missing Native American women:
Historical Trauma and Colonization: The legacy of government policies such as forced removal and land seizures has inflicted intergenerational trauma, with lasting impacts on community safety.
Jurisdictional Issues: The Major Crimes Act (1885) limits tribal jurisdiction, requiring federal prosecution for certain violent crimes, which often results in declined cases. Between 2005 and 2009, US Attorneys Offices declined to prosecute over half of the violent crimes from Indian countryMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women - Wikipedia.
Underreporting: Less than half of violent victimizations against women are reported to police, often due to mistrust of law enforcement or fear of retaliation.
Lack of Resources: Tribal law enforcement agencies frequently lack funding and personnel, with reports indicating underfunding for decades.
Social and Economic Factors: High rates of poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence in some Native communities contribute to vulnerability, with 66 cases in the UIHI report tied to domestic violence and sexual assault.
An unexpected detail is the significant number of cases involving non-Native perpetrators, with about 50% of identified perpetrators in urban areas being non-Native, highlighting the cross-jurisdictional nature of the problem.
