Minute for Mission: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

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Humanizing Through Stories (Photo by Madison McKinney)

The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) is one of the most urgent human rights issues facing North America. Across the United States and Canada, Indigenous women and girls experience violence at disproportionately high rates, shaped by the enduring impacts of colonization, systemic racism and social marginalization.

Although Indigenous women make up a small percentage of the population, they are vastly overrepresented among victims of violence. Many cases receive little media attention, and families often encounter barriers in law enforcement response and jurisdictional coordination. This lack of visibility has contributed to the movement’s rallying cry: “No More Stolen Sisters.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins others in recognizing May 5 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. This day offers an opportunity for prayer, education and public witness. It calls the church to remember those whose lives have been taken or remain unaccounted for, and to stand in solidarity with grieving families and communities.

For people of faith, this reality calls for both lament and action. Scripture reminds us that every person is created in the image of God and deserving of dignity, protection and justice. The church is called to listen to Indigenous voices, support advocacy for policy reform, and participate in efforts that seek truth, accountability and healing.

The inclusion of Two-Spirit people in this movement also reminds us that violence intersects with gender identity and sexuality, increasing vulnerability for those living at multiple margins.

As the PC(USA) engages in God’s mission, we are invited to bear witness — on May 5 and throughout the year — working toward a world where Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are safe, honored and fully seen.

JoAnne Sharp

Let us join in prayer for:

Ashley Gibson, HR Assistant, Human Resources, Administrative Services Group
Sharon Dunne Gillies, Managing Editor, Presbyterian Women

Let us pray:

God of justice and compassion, we remember before you the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. We grieve the violence, the silence, and the loss that weighs on families and communities. We confess that systems meant to protect — law enforcement, legal structures and social institutions — too often fail to bring justice or safety. Stir in us holy courage to name these failures and to work for change. Teach us to listen deeply to Indigenous voices, to honor the dignity of every life, and to stand in solidarity with those seeking truth and healing. May your Spirit guide us beyond words into action, that your justice may roll down and your peace take root in every community. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: National Day of Awareness & Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

Indigenous communities have been struck by the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIW) for decades. This epidemic is a systemic failure where Indigenous women are going missing and being murdered at alarmingly high rates with minimal justice. Within the past several years, the MMIW movement has brough awareness of this violence to the public's attention. Still, there is much work to be done.

On average, four out of five Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetime. In some areas, the rates of Indigenous women being murdered is 10 times the national average (found at csvanw.org). This epidemic of violence against Indigenous women is devastating for their families and communities. Indigenous women have always been placed on a pedestal for being the creators and caretakers for each community, and losing even just one person is a loss in the language, culture and historical lineage.

As the MMIW movement continues to grow, there is hope that Indigenous families can find healing and justice. However, justice can only be found when the systemic barriers within the justice systems at the tribal, state and federal levels are addressed. Indigenous communities are advocating for federal policies to be put in place that would protect their nations' sovereign rights over their people and homelands. Supporting legislative policies such as Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act are the first steps in addressing these systemic barriers.

Indigenous communities may find healing when the tragic situations of their loved ones are recognized on a national level, with a sense of urgency for the tragedy to be addressed. It is crucial for the survivors' stories and voices to be heard so they can mourn with peace of mind, knowing justice will be served. 

Some possible ideas to assist in the work of MMIW would be to use your own social media to bring awareness to everyone you know about the cases. You can also call the local law enforcement department working on the case to see what you might be able to do to bring awareness to the seriousness of the situation, perhaps calling local media sources and national media sources in the search for missiing people.   

You can find more information at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women at cavanw.org.

Danelle Crawford McKinney and Madison McKinney, Co-Writers               

Let us join in prayer for:

• Samantha Lund, Legal Office Administrator, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
• Erika Lundbom, Electronic Resources Associate, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation 

Let us pray:

Creator From All Directions, we pray for strength and confidence for Indigenous women who feel invisible but need to know they are strong warrors for your powerful hand to assist men when they feel helpless to protect and comfort families, and for all Indigenous people as they strive to teach the young people how to protect and prevent harm to their future communities. Help us to give them a voice and support them through our actions in areas where they need it the most. In your most holy name, we pray, Amen.

Minute for Mission: National Day of Awareness & Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

May 5, 2023

Photo courtesy of Alethia Oatman

Indigenous communities have been struck by the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIW) for decades. This epidemic is a systemic failure where Indigenous women are going missing and being murdered at alarmingly high rates with minimal justice. Within the past several years, the MMIW movement has brought awareness of this violence to the public’s attention. Still, there is much work to be done.

On average, four out of five Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetime. In some areas, the rates of Indigenous women being murdered is 10x the national average (found at csvanw.org). This epidemic of violence on Indigenous women is devastating for the families and communities. Indigenous women have always been placed on a pedestal for being the creators and caretakers for each community and losing even just one person is a loss in the language, culture and historical lineage.

As the MMIW movement continues to grow, there is hope that Indigenous families can find healing and justice. However, justice can only be found when the systemic barriers within the justice systems on the tribal, state and federal level are addressed. Indigenous communities are advocating for federal policies to be put in place that would protect their nations’ sovereign rights over their people and homelands. Supporting legislative policies such as Savanna’s Act and Not Invisible Act are the first steps in addressing these systemic barriers.

Indigenous communities may find healing when the tragic situations of their loved ones are recognized on a national level with a sense of urgency for the tragedy to be addressed. It is crucial for the survivors’ stories and voices to be heard so they can mourn with the peace of mind knowing justice will be served.

Some possible ideas to assist in the work of MMIW would be to use your own social media to bring awareness to everyone you know about the cases. You can also call the local law enforcement department working on the case to see what you might be able to do to bring awareness to the seriousness of the situation, perhaps calling local media sources and national media sources in the search for missing people.

You can find more information at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women at csvanw.org .

Danelle Crawford McKinney and Madison McKinney, co-writers

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Laura Bryan, Coordinator, Financial Aid for Service, Theology, Formation & Evangelism, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Lucy Bryant, Manager, Online Services, Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray

Creator From All Directions, we pray for strength and confidence for Indigenous women who feel invisible but need to know they are strong warriors, and for your powerful hand to assist men when they feel helpless to protect and comfort families, and for all Indigenous people as they strive to teach the young people on how to protect and prevent harm to their future communities. Help us to give them a voice and support them through our actions in areas they need it the most. In your most holy name, we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: National Day of Awareness & Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

May 5, 2022

Photo courtesy of Alethia Oatman

Indigenous communities have been struck by the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIW) for decades. This epidemic is a systemic failure where Indigenous women are going missing and being murdered at alarmingly high rates with minimal justice. Within the past several years, the MMIW movement has brought awareness of this violence to the public’s attention. Still, there is much work to be done.

On average, four out of five Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetime. In some areas, the rates of Indigenous women being murdered is 10x the national average (found at csvanw.org). This epidemic of violence on Indigenous women is devastating for the families and communities. Indigenous women have always been placed on a pedestal for being the creators and caretakers for each community and losing even just one person is a loss in the language, culture and historical lineage.

As the MMIW movement continues to grow, there is hope that Indigenous families can find healing and justice. However, justice can only be found when the systemic barriers within the justice systems on the tribal, state and federal level are addressed. Indigenous communities are advocating for federal policies to be put in place that would protect their nations’ sovereign rights over their people and homelands. Supporting legislative policies such as Savanna’s Act and Not Invisible Act are the first steps in addressing these systemic barriers.

Indigenous communities may find healing when the tragic situations of their loved ones are recognized on a national level with a sense of urgency for the tragedy to be addressed. It is crucial for the survivors’ stories and voices to be heard so they can mourn with the peace of mind knowing justice will be served.

Some possible ideas to assist in the work of MMIW would be to use your own social media to bring awareness to everyone you know about the cases. You can also call the local law enforcement department working on the case to see what you might be able to do to bring awareness to the seriousness of the situation, perhaps calling local media sources and national media sources in the search for missing people.

You can find more information at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women at csvanw.org.

Danelle Crawford McKinney and Madison McKinney, co-writers

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Tina Rhudy, Associate Director, Building Services, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Bob and Kristi Rice, Mission Co-workers serving in South Sudan, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

Creator From All Directions, we pray for strength and confidence for Indigenous women who feel invisible but need to know they are strong warriors, and for your powerful hand to assist men when they feel helpless to protect and comfort families, and for all Indigenous people as they strive to teach the young people on how to protect and prevent harm to their future communities. Help us to give them a voice and support them through our actions in areas they need it the most. In your most holy name, we pray. Amen.