Central Montana Times

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester have successfully passed a resolution designating May 5th as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The resolution aims to raise awareness, honor the victims, and seek solutions to end the crisis surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Senator Daines emphasized the importance of remembering victims like Hanna Harris, stating, "It is essential to keep the memory of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls like Hanna Harris at the forefront of our discussions as we confront this tragic crisis." He further expressed his commitment to raising awareness and ending the crisis for Montana tribal communities.

Senator Tester also stressed the significance of the resolution, highlighting the need to combat violence against Indigenous women and girls. He stated, "We've got to keep pushing for solutions to combat violence against Indigenous women and girls." Tester emphasized the importance of supporting survivors and ensuring law enforcement has the necessary resources to address the epidemic.

President Stiffarm of the Fort Belknap Indian Community voiced strong support for action to protect Native Women and Girls, emphasizing the role of tribes in safeguarding their communities. He thanked Senators Tester and Daines for their support and highlighted the importance of designating a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

Chairman Frank White Clay of the Crow Tribe echoed the sentiments, stating, "By designating May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, we honor the memory of those who have been taken from us and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls in our communities."

The resolution also received praise from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), with Executive Director Lucy R. Simpson commending Senators Daines and Tester for their efforts to bring attention to the crisis. The NIWRC called for systemic change to end the violence against Native women and girls.

The initiative was also supported by the MMIW Bike-Run USA, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and redistributing resources to impacted communities. Jean BearCrane, Executive Director of the Montana Native Women’s Coalition (MNWC), highlighted the need for continued efforts to address the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

The resolution comes at a crucial time as Native American women and girls in Montana face a murder rate that is 10 times higher than the national average, with a significant percentage experiencing violence. The full text of the resolution can be found online, further underscoring the commitment to addressing this pressing issue.