Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP)

As tribal communities and organizations across Indian Country prepare to observe the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) in early May, the need for amplifying awareness of this crisis has never been more urgent. 

Originally focused on missing and murdered women Native women (MMIW), the acronym has evolved to MMIP to include girls, boys, men and two spirits who have all been affected by this tragic epidemic. 

The significance of the National Day of Awareness is deeply rooted in the story of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe who went missing in July 2013.  The Montana congressional delegation advocated for the establishment of May 5 — which was Hanna’s birth date — to honor her and highlight the urgency of the MMIP crisis. 

Recent data from the Congressional Research Service paints a stark picture of the violent victimization experienced by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men, with 82% reporting such experiences in their lifetimes. Nearly 3.5% of missing persons in the national database of missing persons were identified as AI/AN — significantly higher than their representation in the overall U.S. population. 

Recent events, such as the tragic disappearance and death of Lakota actor Cole Brings Plenty, the nephew of Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty, highlight the urgency of addressing the MMIP crisis in Indian Country. And it reminds us that there is still work to be done.   

Native News Online remains committed to covering MMIP stories and amplifying the voices of those affected by the crisis. We cannot do this important work alone. Your financial support will help fund our coverage of this and other important issues in Indian Country and be a force for change. Please consider making a one-time donation of $25 or more — though any amount, large or small, will help. We ask that you give from your heart.