Why Are So Many Indigenous Women Going Missing and Being Murdered? (with Rosalie Fish)
Feb 7, 2024
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Rosalie Fish, a member of the Cowlitz Tribe and a runner from the Muckleshoot Reservation, discusses the alarming number of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She shares personal stories from her own family and indigenous communities, highlighting the need for action. The podcast also explores the complexities of jurisdiction and underestimating criminals. Policy, collaboration with Ironclad, and education are identified as crucial tools to address this issue.
Indigenous women, particularly those living in remote areas and facing poverty, are targeted as victims of violence, including human trafficking.
There is a lack of collaboration between tribal and state law enforcement, which makes it difficult to address cases of missing Indigenous women effectively.
There are ongoing efforts to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, including advocacy work, education programs, and policy initiatives.
Deep dives
High rates of violence against Indigenous women
Indigenous women, particularly those living in remote areas and facing poverty, are targeted as victims of violence, including human trafficking. The high rates of domestic violence and the vulnerabilities created by systemic issues contribute to the targeting of Indigenous women.
Lack of jurisdiction and collaboration
There is a lack of collaboration between tribal and state law enforcement, which makes it difficult to address cases of missing Indigenous women effectively. Loopholes in jurisdiction and accountability contribute to the neglect and mishandling of these cases.
Efforts to raise awareness and seek justice
There are ongoing efforts to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, including advocacy work, education programs, and policy initiatives. These initiatives aim to prevent violence through education, community building, and cultural preservation. Additionally, there are calls for the establishment of task forces, alert systems, and cold case units to address the issue more effectively.
Victim advocacy and family impact
The experiences of victims' families, such as the case of Rosenda Strong and her sister's relentless pursuit of justice, highlight the emotional and practical hardships faced when seeking justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women. Families often experience a lack of urgency and support from law enforcement, hindering the grieving process and the closure they seek.
The importance of education and support
Education on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is crucial in raising awareness. Supporting organizations like Mother Nation, which provide holistic care and resources for affected families, can make a significant difference. By educating oneself, sharing information, and supporting these organizations, individuals can contribute to raising awareness and seeking justice for Indigenous women.
Rosalie Fish is a member of the Cowlitz Tribe and a runner from the Muckleshoot Reservation in Auburn, Washington. She is a women’s track and field athlete at the University of Washington, where she was recently selected for a prestigious Truman Scholarship from the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. She often runs and trains with a red painted handprint on her face, dedicated to Indigenous women and girls who have been killed or disappeared.
Countless have gone missing, though numbers are hard to track for a variety of reasons. For example, as NativeHope.org notes, “The National Crime Information Center reports that, in 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, though the US Department of Justice’s federal missing person database, NamUs, only logged 116 cases.”
Today on Change Agents, Rosalie talks about how this violence has affected her own family and indigenous communities around the country, and what can be done to address it.
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