Red Shawl Day: Honoring missing and murdered indigenous women and people

Participants often wear red shawls, clothing, or ribbons to show solidarity and support for the families and communities affected by these tragedies.

The issue of MMIWP is a longstanding crisis that has been overlooked for too long. Indigenous people, particularly women, face a much higher likelihood of being murdered or going missing compared to the general population. Factors like systemic racism, colonial violence, lack of resources, and inadequate law enforcement response have contributed to this ongoing epidemic.

The importance of Red Shawl Day lies in our ability to amplify the voices of Indigenous communities, honor the lives lost, and demand action from local, state, and federal authorities. It is a call to end the violence and neglect faced by Indigenous people, urging for better protection, more resources, and increased accountability.

^{Photo: Lorie Shaull via Wikipedia}

What can I do?

As individuals, we can all play a role in addressing the crisis of MMIWP. Here’s how you can help:

1. Educate yourself: Learn about the history and current realities of MMIWP. Share this knowledge with others to raise awareness. If you’re not sure where to start, read these helpful articles:
   • Washington is 2nd in the U.S. for missing and murdered Indigenous women; have recent efforts made headway?
   • Red Shawl Memorializes Missing and Murdered Native Americans
   • Wearing Red Shawls to Bring Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples
   • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)
2. Sign up for active alerts about MMIWP in our state: View Washington State Patrol’s Alerts & Missing Persons page, which includes a list of Missing Indigenous Persons and other vulnerable populations, resources, and more.
3. Support Indigenous-led organizations: Donate to and volunteer with groups working directly with Indigenous communities to provide support and advocacy.
4. Amplify Indigenous voices: Listen to and amplify the stories of Indigenous people, particularly those affected by the MMIWP crisis. Support Indigenous creators, activists, and leaders.
5. Participate in Red Shawl Day: Wear red, join local events, and honor those who have been lost. Your participation sends a message of solidarity and support.

Let us stand together to ensure that Indigenous lives are valued, protected, and remembered. The fight for justice for MMIWP is ongoing, and every voice counts.

(Most of this content was generated by AI [ChatGPT].)