HELENA, Mont.â On Wednesday at the Capitol, the Montana Native Women s Coalition brought attention to the efforts being made to combat the MMIP epidemic.Â
The coalition wanted to highlight recent efforts at the state level but still says more has to be done to protect Montanaâs indigenous women.
Several surviving family members of those who have been lost spoke at the Capitol today, including Paula Castro-Stops, the mother of Henny Scott, who lost her daughter in 2018 after she was missing for three weeks. She wants others around the state to be aware of the crisis that indigenous women deal with, and the impact that it will continue to have on Montanaâs families.
Vigils, Rallies Mark Day Of Awareness For Indigenous Victims -
By Susan Montoya Bryan And Felicia Fonseca Associated Press
Some shared agonizing stories of frustration and loss. Others prayed and performed ceremonies. All called for action.
Across the U.S. on Wednesday, family members, advocates and government leaders commemorated a day of awareness for the crises of violence against Indigenous women and children. They met at virtual events, vigils and rallies at state capitols and raised their voices on social media.
In Washington, a gathering hosted by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and other federal officials started with a prayer asking for guidance and grace for the Indigenous families who have lost relatives and those who have been victims of violence.
MT advocates mark Day of Awareness for missing and murdered indigenous people
May 5 marked National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, and across Montana, people gathered to make sure the crisis isnât forgotten.
By: Jonathon Ambarian
and last updated 2021-05-13 11:12:31-04
HELENA â May 5 marked National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, and across Montana, people gathered to make sure the crisis isnât forgotten.
In Helena, events started Wednesday morning. A small group of people gathered on the Walking Mall to âSmudge the Streets.â
Smudging is a traditional ceremony for cleansing and purification. Those taking part walked up Last Chance Gulch, burning bundles of sage and sweetgrass, spreading the smoke and holding prayers.
Susan Montoya Bryan And Felicia Fonseca
In this image provided by the Navajo Nation Office of the Speaker, Dottie Lizer, the wife of Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer, addresses a crowd gathered, Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Window Rock, Ariz., during an event to commemorate a day of awareness for the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and children. (Byron C. Shorty, Navajo Nation Office of the Speaker via AP) May 06, 2021 - 1:16 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Some shared agonizing stories of frustration and loss. Others prayed and performed ceremonies. All called for action.
Across the U.S. on Wednesday, family members, advocates and government leaders commemorated a day of awareness for the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and children. They met at virtual events, vigils and rallies at state capitols, and raised their voices on social media.