Brief History to know:

MMIW Day of Reflection & Rememberence

Now a day marked in somber tones by hundreds of native people in Canada and the United States, May 5th has been a unified day of awareness for almost a decade. 

MMIWG Awareness Day, also known as Red Dress Day, began in Canada in 2016. The resolution was drafted in memory of Hanna Harris (MMIW 2013). It was introduced in April 2016, on the day that RoyLynn Rides Horse passed away (MMIW 2016).
The United States started and stalled a lot of their work on protections for native women and children. It wasn't until 2021 when May 5th was officially recognized in the United States as MMIW Awareness Day.
As of 2024, May 5th has evolved to honor the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people in Canada and the United States. 
Why is it also called Red Dress day? Red is a color that stands out in nature, and it also has the meaning of honor for a lot of native nations. On this day, there are many people that hang red dresses up in memory of MMIW. Visit the site of artist Jamie Black, whose exhibit called the REDress Project gave a visual reminder of how bleak MMIW can seem. This exhibit helped spread information of MMIW further and faster, and has inspired other exhibits to create spaces for healing, discourse, and education.  

Here is the sobering Truth

It’s estimated that 4 out of 5 Native women experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Native women also face murder rates more than 10 times the national average. Despite efforts to raise awareness, of the 5,712 cases of MMIWG in the United States, only 116 were included in the Department of Justice (DOJ) database." ~ US Department of Veterans Affairs  (You can still visit this website as of 2/18/2025. This was part of a report done in 2016.)

Want to participate and raise awareness? You don't have to be Native to observe this day.   

  • Wear RED on May 5th and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #NationalDayofAawareness #MMIW

  • Know why this day exists, and were to get more information to help others learn. One really good place to start is Native Hope.

  • Host a community event in your community on May 5th.

  • Host a prayer circle or candlelight vigil on May 5th.

  • Post a list of names of native people missing or murdered from your community. 

  • Create or visit a living memorial. The MMIW Memorial Grove 

  • View the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center webinars. 

Why do you sometimes see MMIW with different letters?

Each native nation, family, non-profit, and organization has their own way of recognizing people who are part of the movement. The original focus was on women, so many of the first reports and calls to action where for MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women). Here are others you might see: 

MMIP- Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

MMIR- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives 

MMIWG- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

MMIWG2S- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

MMIWP- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (The Grove uses this one regularly)

MMIWR- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives

February 14th

National Day of Action and Awareness

What is the MMIW Day of Action?
Originating in 1992 after the murder of Cheryl Ann Joe (MMIW 1992, at 25 years old) in British Columbia, February 14th has been known as the Women's Memorial March in both Canada and the United States. This event serves as a protest against class disparity, racism, inequality, and violence. A large part of the event is focused on National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and Women (MMIP and MMIW).
On this day, people march and have vigils to raise awareness and give attention to the widespread fury and grief facing Native Americans. This is a growing movement lead by Native and non-Native activists, organizations, political figures, families of victims, as well as survivors to address the MMIW crisis. The families in attendance want to be heard, and want answers to their questions. These families are pleading for justice for all MMIWP.
The marches and vigils done on this day are to raise awareness and help to break down false assumptions, get rid of stereotypes, and to remove the blame of women in vulnerable situations. The blame needs to appropriately be assigned the murderers and abusers who take these lives and alter the existance of so many others.
Want to learn more?

MMIWG Websites

The list of websites below have been curated to give space to more memorials. With those sites, they have different (and sometimes more) resources than what we have on our resource page, which you can visit here
CSVANW logo

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA Facebook Page

The Facebook page is currently active. The website connected to the FB is not active. They make posts about missing indigenous people. Those alerts are termed "Feather Alerts". Occasionally they will make updates to cases that they have posted about previously. 

Please visit MMIWUSA Facebook Page here.
MMIWC NC logo

Database for the MMIW NC

The MMIW NC website has a database that is not limited to, but is focused on native people that are located in or are from North Carolina. They are a small but mighty non-profit, and there are many family members and advocates in this group that work together to make a major difference. If this logo looks familiar, you might have seen it on our Partners Page. 

Please visit the MMIW NC website here.

MMDR Logo

MMDR- Missing & Murdered Dine' RElatives

Missing & Murdered Dine' Relatives (MMDR) is a nonprofit based in the American Southwest. They have several social media accounts, such as Facebook and Instagram, to go along with their website. They make regular posts featuring missing Dine' people as well as events they hold to raise funds. It's similar to what we do, but on a bigger platform.  

Please visit the MMDR site here.
UIHI Logo

Justice for Native People

This is a blog featuring MMIPeople from all over the continent. This is a writeup from the author:

First and foremost, my goal is provide visibility for cases that have gone unsolved and recent cases in which someone may be in danger. Secondly, my goal is to investigate the claim that Missing, Murdered, and Unidentified Indigenous Women is the "epidemic" many communities believe it to be. Thirdly, my goal is to humanize the issue of MMIW by putting faces, names, and case information to each individual. Fourthly, my goal is to consolidate important case information from multiple sources across the internet into one concise profile. Finally, my goal is to provide open source information regarding the prevalence of violence against Native women to be used by anyone for the purpose of researching or aiding this issue. My hope is that journalists, sociologists, anthropologists, criminal psychologists, law enforcement agencies, tribal entities and law makers can use this information to forward critical changes in policy and funding to find solutions to this issue.

Please visit the J4NP site here. 
Navajo Nation Missing Persons Updates

Navajo Nation Missing Persons UPdates

The Navajo Nation Missing Persons Updates (NNMPU) is another FB group located in the American Southwest. They are currently active, and are constantly working on updating missing cases they know of within the Navajo Nation. 

Please visit the NNMPU Facebook here.
The Guardian Logo

'Nobody saw me': Why are so many Native Aerican women and girls trafficked?

This article is from 2019, so any information in this will need more updated statistics. What we can say is, pay attention to the human emotion in this article. It takes place in New Mexico, but that isn't the only state where this issue is a problem.

"Nearly a quarter of New Mexico's trafficking victims are Native American- and women and girls are the least protected as the state struggles to address the problem." ~ Nick Pachelli of Searchlight New Mexico.

Please visit the article in the Guardian here.

USA FBI logo

USA FBI Site for some MMIP 

(This is still accessible as of 3/26/2025). The FBI has several lists for MMIP. The one attached to this page has basic stats and images of people.  They are calling this list an "image repository."

Currently, we have found that searching on the FBI page for just MMIW will not get results. That is why we stress to researchers that they should know several acronyms for this issue in Native country.  

Please visit the USA FBI image repository site here.
US BIA Logo

US Departmnt of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs Database

From their website: "The primary purpose of posting case profiles to this page is to generate tips from the public about active cases that may help law enforcement give closure to victim’s families. Leveraging the power of web and social media, the public is encouraged to share case profiles through digital means.

BIA takes its responsibilities of protecting the identity of victim’s next of kin and family very seriously. While agents are working hundreds of cases, only those that next of kin and families have authorized are published here. Additionally, these cases are active investigations. While the Victim Services Program provides available case information to the next of kin/ family, the MMU cannot speak to the media or others about what is occurring within the investigation to preserve the confidentiality of the case.

If you have any information about these cases, or wish to make a referral, please contact us at any of the tip and information lines."

Please visit the US BIA Database here. 
Aboriginal Alert Logo

Aboriginal Alert

Aboriginal Alert is Canada's Indigenous Awareness Network. Continually sharing information about missing individuals in Canada. We are also working together with organizations to provide resources and supports for individuals in need and are seeking help. As family members, friends and colleagues of people who have gone missing, we wanted to help to do more for those who have gone missing and who have yet to come home. We share information about missing Indigenous people in Canada. We continually receive and access information to share details about missing people and who to contact with information. Every missing alert has a print poster option that can be shared or printed to be posted around your community. We actively share information on Facebook, Instagram and X. Follow us to stay connected and informed. 

Please visit the Aboriginal Alert here.
MMIP Database FB Logo

MMIP Database Facebook Group for the US and Canada

This Facebook group has 38,000 members who share and update cases on MMIP from all over the United States and Canada.

On their group page: As we know there is an alarming number of missing and murdered indigenous people. This was created to help do our part to prevent further atrocities to our people and help protect them! Post all pics here immediately of missing people so we can work together as a nation to find/advocate for our missing people and bring them home!!!!!!

Public- Anyone can see who's in the group and what they post.

Visible- Anyone can find this group.

Edmonton, Alberta 

Please visit the MMIP Database Facebook Group here.

NM Department of Justice Logo

USA FBI Site for some MMIP 

(This is still accessible as of 3/27/2025). The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Portal for New Mexico is a dedicated online resource designed to address the crisis affecting Indigenous communities throughout the state. This portal serves as a central hub for information, advocacy, and support related to MMIP cases, providing a comprehensive database for reporting and searching for missing persons.

Our mission is to empower families, friends, and communities impacted by these tragedies through accessible, transparent, and sensitive resources. The portal also aims to raise awareness of the MMIP crisis, foster collaboration among law enforcement, community organizations, and the public, and advocate for systemic changes to prevent further injustices.

By bringing together data, personal stories, and resources for support and action, the MMIP Portal for New Mexico stands as a testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities and their allies in the pursuit of justice and healing. Together, we strive to honor the memory of the missing and murdered and to create a future where Indigenous peoples can live free from violence.

Please visit the NM Department of Justice MMIP Taskforce site here.
US OVC Logo

US Department of the Interior: Office for Victims of Crime 

(This is still accessible as of 3/28/2025). From their website: "OVC is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. Created in 1983.

American Indian and Alaska Native communities have struggled for decades with violent crime rates that are higher than the national average (Bureau of Indian Affairs).

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 to improve public safety and criminal justice for Native Americans and address the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous people. Through this Executive Order, the Administration pledges to work in collaboration with Tribal communities to support prevention and intervention efforts that will make a meaningful and lasting difference.

The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to addressing the persistent violence endured by Native American families and communities across the country, including by working with Tribal nations to address the missing or murdered Indigenous persons crisis.

OVC offers resources that underscore the scope of this issue and equip victim service providers and allied professionals with tools to help assist relatives of missing or murdered Indigenous persons."

Please visit the US OVC here.