This May, during MMIWG2S Awareness Month, it is a time to honor the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people and commit to action and awareness.

A Look at Violence at Home

The MMIWG2S crisis is not just about women disappearing or being murdered by strangers. Many cases involve intimate partner violence, family violence, or interpersonal abuse that escalates over time.

According to the National Institute of Justice, over 84% of Indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetime — and more than 55% have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner.

When the Warning Signs Are Ignored

For many Indigenous women who go missing or are murdered, there were warning signs — patterns of abuse, stalking, or control by a current or former partner. But these red flags are often dismissed or minimized.

When Indigenous women report abuse, they are less likely to be believed, supported, or protected. This leads many survivors to suffer in silence or feel they must handle their safety alone.

Without consistent, culturally responsive support, cycles of abuse continue — and, in some cases, end in tragedy.

About Power & Control

The Path Forward Must Be Intersectional

To work toward addressing the MMIWG2S crisis, we must address domestic violence. That means:

• Funding culturally specific domestic violence programs in Native communities

• Supporting tribal sovereignty so that tribes can fully investigate and prosecute crimes in their own nations

• Listening to Native advocates and survivors who have long been doing this work

• Breaking down the silos between domestic violence services, missing persons cases, and law enforcement responses

Learn more about local organizations such as Yoyot Sp'q'n'i who work to provide shelter for indigenous survivors of violence and Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services.

The work to end domestic violence is the work to prevent MMIWG2S cases. And it’s work that must be rooted in Indigenous leadership, healing justice, and the belief that every woman, girl, and Two-Spirit person deserves to live safely and freely.

We cannot end MMIWG2S without ending domestic violence. And we cannot end domestic violence without centering the experiences of Indigenous women and communities.

Honoring Lives Through Action

During MMIW Awareness Month — and every month — let us remember: every statistic represents a person with a story, a family, and a future that should have been protected. We honor the lives lost by taking action to interrupt cycles of violence, uplift survivor voices, and advocate for systems that respond with care, urgency, and respect.

This May, we are supporting efforts led by one of our Mission Partners, The Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino. Check out the link below to learn ways to can take action this May.

MMIWG2S Awareness Month

YWCA Provides Services for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

At YWCA Spokane, we provide an array of confidential services for survivors and their families who are navigating abuse from an intimate partner. This includes our 24hr helpline. Our advocates are available by calling 509-326-2255, texting 509-220-3725, or emailing help@ywcaspokane.org.

YWCA Services

For those who aren't sure if they are in an abusive relationship, consider meeting with one of our support advocates.