Chapman recognizes Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day

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Nearly 6,000 American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) females were missing in 2023, 74% of whom were children; those are only the reported cases.

The Chapman University Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) recognized missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) on May 5, also known as Red Dress Day.

The national initiative was incorporated on campus three years ago when Chapman math professor Esther Jaureguy began her involvement with the CCC.

“I haven’t really seen a lot of (Indigenous) events (on campus) over the years,” Jaureguy, a member of the Navajo Nation, said. “But ever since I’ve been working with the CCC, they’ve allowed me to have Native American Heritage Month, and the last three years we’ve done MMIW (events).”

Since 2019, homicide has been the third highest cause of death among AI/AN females ages 15-24. 

However, Jaureguy said the percentage of murdered Indigenous women may be much higher. 

If there's a slight chance of another cause of death, law enforcement may not deem it a homicide, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Moreover, a homicide victim may not be identified as Indigenous or Native in the law enforcement database as a result of mislabeling.

“I want to bring more awareness because (missing) Indigenous people aren’t just of the past, this happens (in the) present, and it (will) happen (in the) future too,” sophomore psychology major Amethyst Vazquez said.

Although Indigenous females are alarmingly targeted for violent crimes, with four out of five experiencing violence in their lifetimes, Vazquez, a member of the Saponi-Catawba Nation, says it is also important to remember this is a larger communal issue all Indigenous peoples face.

“My grandfather was kidnapped as a kid, and it is something that was always known, but my family never talked about it,” Vazquez told The Panther.

Further, law enforcement and public attention are more likely to be drawn to missing persons cases of urban Natives, or those with elevated status, such as celebrities, than cases that occur on reservations.

Vazquez said the recent missing case of Cole Brings Plenty, who was found dead a week later, was only brought to the public eye because of the actor’s recent role in “1923.”

“We shouldn't be hiding from issues surrounding Indigenous communities, nor should we be hiding from Indigenous pride,” Vazquez said. “History is at the mercy of being altered or romanticized, erasing centuries of pain and trauma.”

To learn more about MMIW, Jaureguy recommends becoming familiar with organization resource centers that are assisting victims and families, and encourages looking into educational media such as films that are created by Indigenous peoples.

On campus, the CCC is a valuable resource for getting involved in new events.

“We're at the brink of having one of the students open a Native American Student Organization,” Jaureguy said.

Additionally, Vazquez hopes to host an intertribal powwow within the next two years before she graduates.

In the end, Jaureguy reiterates the prominence of these issues and the importance of being informed.

“Natives are still here and we still matter,” she said.