Our Mission
MMIWUSA’s mission is to combat the widespread issue of violence against native people which leads to our people going missing and getting murdered. Through our mission, MMIWUSA aims to serve indigenous families in the United States who are affected by violence and poverty. We also aim to protect those who are vulnerable to it in our communities through preventative measures. We serve those who are affected by the loss of a family member to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and people (MMIW/P), and those who are at a broader disadvantage due to things like domestic violence, addiction, trafficking, the foster care system, and other issues that are prevalent in indigenous communities. We serve those who are experiencing the oppressive cycles of abuse and trauma caused by the history of colonial violence. We serve all native people, no matter whether they are on or off of their home reservation lands.
Threaten Our Existence,
Expect Our Resistance
– MMIW USA
Stay Connected We Need Your Help to Report Information, Advocate and Spread The Word
Dedicated to …
These two women were integral in the early days of MMIW USA. Amy’s situation was the first family contact Deborah had as a native liaison at Missing in New Mexico and it was through her sister Christy’s eyes that she saw the hell that the MMIW families went and still are going through through today. Sherry’s story was quit the same. Families like these are why we do what we do.
Amy Lynn Hanson
In 2014, Amy Lynn Hanson, a Dine’ woman who was attending UNM-Gallup, went to visit her friends on Thanksgiving. That was the last time her family saw her alive, although Amy called her sister the next morning to invite her to go shopping in Farmington, NM. Amy had replied, “No, I think I’m going to go with my friends.” That was one of the last times Amy called home. When UNM exam week arrived, Christy knew something was wrong when she did not hear from her. In disbelief, Christy and their mother reported Amy missing to state police on December 8th. After an agonizing wait, authorities contacted Amy’s sister at work. A Native woman’s body had been found dumped in an arroyo south of Gallup, NM. On December 17, 2014. It was Amy. She still has not received justice.
Sherry Ann
Sherry Ann Wounded Foot from was from Porcupine on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Sherry Ann was found hurt and dying in White Clay, Nebraska on 8-17-2016. She passed away a couple of days later. Her son and brother were also killed in that town and Sherry’s death was instrumental in the closing down of all liquor related business in that town. She is survived by her daughter Sandi. She was a loving mother and a tough and strong and passed that on to others. Sherry Ann still has not received justice.
Ittibi oksi̱foshi’ ihoo chohmi!
Meaning: “Fight Like a Hatchet Woman!”
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Email us at contact@mmiwusa.org or message us on our Facebook Page.
Staying Sacred
The Staying Sacred Program has a new curriculum under development. We are having people present on culture, sexual violence, self defense and more. We are building this into a full blown program to empower and educate our native youth. We want to prevent MMIW and stop violence in its tracks, for good.
- Indigenous Cultural Pride
- Courage Against Sexual Violence
- Self Defense Introductory Training and Discussion
- Empowerment of Native Youth
Pass the Red Purse
This past November when so many families where celebrating Thanksgiving dinners we had a Facebook / GoFund me campaign for the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Our allies at the dinners passed a red purse and told the stories of how generational trauma, disregard by the government and law enforcement, and the disenfranchisement of native people is causing this tragedy right in front of our eyes.
- We raised awareness to almost 1000 viewers and their families.
- The fundraiser was a great success, we raised over $1700 that went directly to the affected families.
Please Support MMIW USA
Thank you for considering helping our efforts. We are fighting for these women because we want the perpetrators to know that the families will fight back to get their daughters and loved ones back. We are also amplifying their voices to create awareness so that lawmakers and law enforcement can no longer neglect this issue. Lastly, we are also working with young women, through our “Staying Sacred” program, to give them the tools to prevent these tragedies. Your donations are crucial for this effort.
Our PO Box Address is: 3 Monroe Parkway STE: P PMB 411, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Checks can be mailed here. You can expect them to be cashed in roughly a week to three weeks after arrival.
In addition, if you or your organization require donations via a 501(c)3 nonprofit already recognized by the IRS, feel free to make a restricted contribution for MMIW USA’s programs via our fiscal sponsor, Tryon Life Community Farm.
We invite you to take a look at our form 990 which shows how we use our public funding to support our mission; view it at justice.oregon.gov.
We are not truly dead until the hearts of our women are on the ground.
– Black Elk