Two times now I have submitted an opinion letter to InForum in Fargo, ND related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Instead of publishing this important piece, other pieces relating to Trump were published; I assume this is because those pieces will get more clicks.

The issue of missing and murdered indigenous women is routinely swept under the rug, and continues to be by the Fargo Forum. This is especially disappointing when Native American woman, Savannah Greywind, was murdered in Fargo, ND.

Here is the piece I tried to submit:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

This photograph depicts an art display called The REDress Project at the National Museum of the American Indian. The artist, Jaime Black, created the REDress Project to draw attention to the nature of violent crimes against Native women, and to create a presence, through absence.

Contrary to popular belief, the problem of missing and murdered indigenous women is not a “reservation problem.” It is a human rights problem.  

Almost two years ago a tragedy took place in Fargo, North Dakota. While most of us were at work, running errands, or in our homes with our families, Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind had her child cut from her womb with a boxcutter-type blade as she was going in and out of consciousness. She was then strangled and died from strangulation and blood loss. Thankfully, her child survived and is with the child’s father.

This is likely the most high-profile case that those of us in Minnesota and North Dakota have heard about when it comes to murdered indigenous women. However, with the data we currently have, Minnesota is ranked 9^th in the highest number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (Report by the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI)).

What can we do as community members to bring awareness to this important issue?

1. Educate ourselves! Read up more on the subject. There are resources on YouTube, online articles, podcasts, and films.
2. Take Action – Go to https://www.govtrack.us/ and find your legislators. Write to them expressing your concern with the problem. Ask them to support the current MN legislation House File 70 to create a task force for murdered, missing, and indigenous women.
3. Local Change – wear red to honor MMIW and support the families fighting for justice. Hold men and women accountable – confront those who degrade, mock, or sexualize Native women.
4. Break the Silence – Keep conversations going and encourage local media to cover this topic more; publicize photos of missing indigenous women, show displays such as REDress.

Indigenous women’s rights are human rights.

We can do better.