October 4 was National Day of Action for MMIWP

 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and People (MMIWP) recognized the ongoing epidemic on Oct. 4. It was the National Day of Action. It is also known of Sisters in Sprit Day. It is observed annually on Oct. 4. 

Five years ago, I wrote a series about this epidemic in Wyoming and beyond.  Portions of the stories talked about the challenges for law enforcement. The quote from the movie “Wind River” was reality: “You know if you don’t classify this a homicide or a rape, I can’t help.” 

Wyoming House District 54 Representative Lloyd Larsen was also quoted in the series. He said, “If you live outside the reservation and you want to disappear, you go into the reservation. If you live inside the reservation and want to disappear, you leave the reservation.” 

Larsen and then Wyoming Senator Affie Ellis co-sponsored 2020’s Senate File 008.  Governor Mark Gordon established a MMIP Task Force is 2019. 

We have occasionally written about Nicole Wagon’ fight to keep the issue in the forefront. She had two daughters murdered.

Have things gotten better in the last five years?  Yes and no. Yes, in that there is more coverage. People are more aware. No, in that it continues to happen. There seem to be more cases, but perhaps that is because there is more awareness. 

How can the average person help?  Share the stories that you see on social media and in the news.  Follow and support groups like MMIR307. Remember that to the families of the MMIP persons they are not just statistics.  Wear red and tell others why you are wearing it. 

Are indigenous people the only ones missing/murdered in Wyoming?  No, you can see that on FB pages like Missing People of Wyoming. (You can do the same things to help tell their story as well.) Data from multiple sources show that indigenous people in the U.S.A experience rates of murder, missing person cases and violent crime is significantly higher than other ethnicities.  The numbers are likely higher because some are never reported to be missing.