Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced a resolution to designate May 5, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.  

"The U.S. can no longer look away from the pain and injustice endured by Indigenous families whose mothers, daughters, sisters, and relatives have gone missing or been murdered," said Rep. Leger Fernández. "Honoring the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is one way to bring national attention to this issue. This crisis exists because we have not created or enforced the laws to protect Indigenous women and children from predators. As a nation, we have a moral responsibility to invest in services for Indian Country so there are no more stolen sisters and no more stolen joy."

“Indigenous women and girls continue to face heightened violence that is tearing families and communities apart," said Rep. Newhouse. 

"In Washington State alone, there are dozens of open cases of Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, while many of these crimes go under reported or un-reported nationwide. Recognizing May 5, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness shines a light on this epidemic and serves as a reminder to Congress that we must support our threatened native communities and better equip them to solve these heinous crimes. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in raising awareness to this critical issue."

Leger Fernández and Newhouse were joined by Reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ed Case (D-HI), Julie Fedorchak (R-SD), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Eli Crane (R-AZ). 

The resolution is also supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, Yakama Nation, Seattle Indian Health Board, Urban Indian Health Institute, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation. 

Hazen Shopbell, Chair of the Tulalip Tribes said, “The Tulalip Tribes stand in solidarity with Tribal Nations across the country in recognizing May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We thank Congressman Dan Newhouse for his continued leadership in bringing national attention to this crisis and for introducing this important resolution. The epidemic of violence against our Native women, girls, and relatives continues to impact every Tribal community and demands sustained, meaningful action. We call on Congress to uphold its trust responsibility by strengthening Tribal sovereignty, fully recognizing Tribal jurisdiction, and ensuring Tribes have the resources needed to protect our people. Today, and every day, we honor the lives taken too soon, stand with the families who continue to seek justice, and renew our commitment to building a future where our communities are safe—where there are no more stolen sisters.” 

Dustin Klatush, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation said, "The resolution shines a necessary light on a crisis that our tribal communities have endured for decades. The Chehalis Tribe is hopeful that the federal government can prioritize the deployment of resources to tribal communities to resolve cases of missing and murdered women and girls. The Chehalis Tribe appreciates Congressman Newhouse's attention to and efforts to change federal policy to improve tribal law enforcement."

Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation said,"The Colville Tribes appreciates and supports the continued efforts of Rep. Dan Newhouse to keep attention focused on the problem of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.  The Colville Tribes supports the designation of a ‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ and continues to support a federal MMIW law enforcement presence specifically dedicated to serve the Pacific Northwest." 

Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians said, “The continued disappearance and murder of Indigenous women and girls is a national failure that demands more than symbolism—it demands action. I strongly commend Congressman Newhouse for reintroducing this resolution to designate May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This crisis reflects a continued failure to fully uphold the federal trust responsibility to Tribal Nations. While laws such as Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act were critical steps forward, awareness must now translate into accountability, coordination across jurisdictions, and sustained action to protect Indigenous women and girls.”

Gerald Lewis, Chairman, Yakama Nation Tribal Council said, "The Yakama Nation appreciates Congressman Newhouse’s steadfast commitment to acknowledging and addressing the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous people throughout Indian Country. The burden of having missing and murdered relatives at such distressingly high rates causes immense pain for the people of the Yakama Nation and other tribal nations with large land bases – as we lack the resources to adequately patrol our vast territories.  There are many actions that could assist in combating this issue that continues to engrain generational trauma into our people – and progress is being made. To accomplish this, support must be provided to tribal nations' public safety, law enforcement, and justice systems through legislative action and collaboration from all governing bodies; regardless of whether they are at the local, state or federal level. Together we can work to bring our people home and ensure justice." 

Bazil-Lu Windy Boy, Yakama Nation Tribal Council, Chair for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Committee said, "Indian Country has dealt with unacceptably high levels of crime and harm against our people for far too long. Too many families grieve the loss of a loved one, with no justice or closure to comfort them, because of shortfalls that obstruct initiatives that could combat this crisis. I’ve seen this pain first hand from my time as a tribal police officer and as a member of the Not Invisible Act Commission which developed recommendations on actions the federal government can take to help combat violent crime against Native people and within Indian lands, and to address the MMIP epidemic. The Yakama Nation and tribes across the United States are in immediate need of resources for safety measures and justice services to protect our communities. We appreciate Congressman Newhouse's ongoing work to address the obstacles to Tribal sovereignty and public safety improvements we face today. We must continue working to make our communities safer for current and future generations and ensure that our loved ones and neighbors return home safely every night.”

Lucy R. Simpson, CEO, National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC) said, "The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) honors all American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and relatives who have been abducted, murdered, or have gone missing,” said Lucy R. Simpson, CEO, National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC). “This day provides a space for families and communities to raise awareness, seek justice, heal, and advocate for lasting change and accountability. NIWRC strongly supports the designation of May 5, 2026 as the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG."