MMIP - Seven Dancers Coalition & Three Sisters Program Host Evening of Remembrance

On Friday, May 5th, the Seven Dancer Coalition (7DC) held an evening to bring awareness of Missing Murdered Indigenous People – a crisis level phenomenon of Indigenous women, girls men and boys who are sufferers of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen violence, stalking, sex trafficking, or murdered or who are missing.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe designated May 5th, National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in 2017.

Statistics are staggering and often don't reflect the true number of missing and murdered Indigenous people. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the murder rate is ten times higher than the national average for women living on reservations, and the third leading cause of death for Native women. Additionally, this group were significantly more likely to experience a rape in their lifetimes compared to other women. Like other women, American Indian and Alaska Native women are more likely to be killed by their intimate partners compared to other offenders.

The National Institute of Justice study also found that American Indian and Alaska Native men, too, have high victimization rates. More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native men (81.6 percent) have experienced violence in their lifetime. And, overall, more than 1.4 million American Indian and Alaska Native men have experienced violence in their lifetime.

Yet, according to the National Institute of Justice Centers for Disease Control and prevention 2008 the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS), less than half of violent victimizations against women are ever reported to police.

Additionally, reports indicate that there is no reliable count of how many Native women go missing or are killed each year. Researchers have found that women are often misclassified as Hispanic or Asian or other racial categories on missing-person forms and that thousands have been left off a federal missing-persons.

The evening opened with the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen recited by Akwesasne Freedoms School students Tehanonsakahnion and Kionoharate. Guest speakers Keena King, Karahtoten Lazore, Emmaline Oakes, Alexandra David and Nova Lipsic each spoke of their healing journey.

Feryn King provided entertainment with her graceful, yet powerful hoop dancing to the large crowd gathered. The Round Dance brought everyone together in a large community healing group.

The Three Sisters Program are a domestic violence and sexual assault program servicing the needs of men, women, and children. They organized a 'Walk of Remembrance' placing white paper bags, each holding a candle in remembrance of a missing or murdered Indigenous person.

The Seven Dancers – Three Sisters "MMIP – Life Matters" evening was to educate and work towards restoring traditional values with the purpose of strengthening self-confidence and dignity.' And part of the mission statement for 7DC is to 'strive for an environment of peace and tranquility to heal all spirits' - which was achieved that evening.