Present
Violence against Indigenous women has existed for as long as colonization has plagued our continent. Today, advocacy against this gendered colonial violence falls under the label of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Relatives (MMIWG2R) movement. Over the last few decades, the crisis has gained increased visibility as activists have worked tirelessly to raise awareness. In the last five years in particular, this advocacy has resulted in increased government action in response to MMIWG2R–especially in data-collection/tracking and law enforcement response. Unfortunately, as many activists point out, these government responses are inadequate, as they fail to address the underlying causes of this violence. Ultimately, activists today continue to engage with government systems to achieve short-term results, but their focus is increasingly on the more profound solution of absolute decolonization.
Image credit: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA | (mmiwusa.org)