May 5th is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Indigenous women and girls living on reservations experience murder rates of more than 10 times the national average, and more than 4 out of 5 Indigenous women have experienced violence. Tucson ranks fourth in the nation for the number of cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The day is symbolized by a red dress. People are encouraged to wear a red dress, and red dresses are also hung from trees, windows, fences, and balconies. It has been said that red is a color that transcends the physical world and calls to the ancestors in the spirit world.
The day is starting to receive more attention nationally. On May 5, 2023 Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) led their House colleagues in introducing H. Res. 353, a resolution to designate the day as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Under the leadership of Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, the Department of the Interior has created a new unit to speed up investigations, bring families closure, and keep Native communities safe.
The Haven commemorated the day with all morning of activities. Denise Miller led a prayer to the 4 directions to open a sacred space and did smudging, our Native Ways clients drummed and sang, and everybody participated in a sacred dance. We also did a silent procession around the neighborhood to show our solidarity and created red dress pins. The day was painful but also empowering as we educated ourselves and lifted our voices to say no more stolen sisters.
Denise Miller followed by the Native Ways clients starting the procession
Native Ways clients drumming and singing
The procession of solidarity around the neighborhood
Sacred dance
A client getting a red hand painted on her face. A red hand over the mouth has become the symbol of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement.
Native Ways Coordinator Nati Cano and Native Ways Program Manager Amber Santa Cruz instructing a client on how to create a red dress pin.
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