Introduction
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) is a movement that raises awareness about missing Native women, girls, and two-spirit (2S) persons. This movement is community-based, which means that local people, not institutions or governmental authorities, are at its core. It is a grassroots movement that is active locally as well. This advocacy group highlights that the murder rate among Native women is ten times greater than the national average (Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native).
However, there isn’t enough focus on the problem or the action taken. Thus, bringing attention to the staggering number of incidents involving missing and murdered Indigenous people and stressing the necessity of immediate action and structural change is the main objective of the MMIWG2S movement. This essay examines MMIWG2S’s group advocacy activities, critiques factors that could make advocacy less effective, discusses the direct action strategies the movement uses to achieve improvements, and provides insights into maintaining long-term initiatives.
Issues that Decrease Effectiveness When Advocating
The intersectional nature of problems when working with others is one factor that reduces the efficacy of MMIWG2S. For example, the group’s objectives are intrinsically linked to those of the LGBTQ community. However, working with the LGBTQ+ community is not always successful, though.
For instance, two-spirit is a term exclusively used by the Indigenous population to refer to individuals whose “behaviors or beliefs may be interpreted by others to be uncharacteristic of their sex” (Thomas et al. 368). It includes various gender identities and expressions and is often associated with certain Indigenous spiritual practices and cultural norms (Thomas et al. 388). Within the Native community, they face the problem of cisnormativity (Thomas et al. 368).
On the other hand, they face racism and negative stereotyping from non-Native LGBTQ+ communities. Thus, while the MMIWG2S acknowledges the unique intersectionality of this group, the LGBTQ community may not always fully understand or appreciate the specific challenges faced by 2S people. Therefore, even though MMIWG2S and the LGBTQ movements may share some common themes, the latter may lack the nuance to address issues presented by the former effectively. In this way, working with the queer community may decrease the effectiveness of the MMIWG2S.
Minimizing the voices of those affected by the issue is another problem that could undermine collective advocacy. The voices of 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous women and girls are sometimes marginalized or ignored when working with others. To maximize the impact of advocacy, the right people must be involved, such as families, survivors, Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and communities. Because of this, the national strategy to lessen violence against this community is based on the tenet that “nothing about us, without us” (Government of Canada). This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that advocacy activities are inclusive and accurately reflect the experiences and viewpoints of the people involved.
Direct Action Approaches Used to Affect Changes
Increasing awareness on social media is one direct action strategy used to bring about social change. This is accomplished through the “I’m a Change Maker” public marketing series. Are you in? (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). Family members who have a missing or murdered relative tell their story in each episode of this series. First-hand stories of the deaths of Indigenous females and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals are available for Canadians to hear. By using well-known social media platforms, these stories raise awareness of the problem and contribute to societal change.
Another strategy used to effect change is a comprehensive data collection on the issue. It is essential to collect data on the violence experienced by Indigenous women when aggregating official crime statistics (Amnesty International). These statistics have been collected for some time now.
For example, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women quotes official data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that for Indigenous girls between the ages of 10 and 24, homicide is the third leading cause of death, and fifth for those between 25 and 34 years. These figures are an effective way to lead changes because they show the severity of the matter. Comprehensive data collection brings visibility to the extent of violence against Indigenous females and 2S individuals.
To bring about political change, the Government of Canada launched a national inquiry into the issue in 2016. According to Amnesty International and the University of British Columbia, a public inquiry exposes the nature of the violence. It ensures that the government takes accountability for the response when a Native woman goes missing or is murdered. The inquiry found that the high rates of violence against Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA people could be attributed to the violation of Indigenous rights (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). Based on this finding, the government and other relevant political authorities can take action to mitigate violence against this community.
Long-Term Efforts
To sustain longevity, it is necessary to support the survivors and their families. Ongoing support is essential for healing, resilience, and building a foundation for lasting change (Assembly of First Nations). Kahn et al. explain that when marginalized individuals, such as LGBTQ-forced immigrants, are exposed to violence, they may suffer anxiety, depression, and PTSD (1166).
Similarly, it is essential to recognize the profound impact of violence on Native females and 2S individuals, as well as their communities. Access to culturally competent counseling and mental health services is vital for survivors as well as their loved ones to promote healing and address historical trauma (Government of Canada). Providing trauma-informed services is crucial for addressing the complex needs of survivors.
Another way to sustain long-term change is by undertaking prevention. According to the Assembly of First Nations, prevention services should be part of the plan to reduce cases of missing or murdered people from the community. An example of a preventative measure is developing a protocol in advance for when a woman disappears (Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women). Establishing clear and comprehensive protocols in advance is critical for responding promptly and effectively when a person goes missing. By implementing proactive measures, communities can work to reduce the occurrence of missing or murdered Indigenous women and create a safer environment for them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Native women, girls, and 2S individuals are disproportionately affected by violence, including homicide. They have a higher rate of becoming missing than the national average. Despite this, their plight remains largely overlooked; systemic issues such as racism, colonialism, and gender-based violence persist.
The MMIWG2S movement has emerged as a powerful force dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for justice. This advocacy group uses social media to raise awareness and provides statistics. Nevertheless, a long-term solution necessitates addressing the root causes of this crisis, which are deeply ingrained in historical and structural injustices.
Works Cited
Amnesty International. No More Stolen Sisters: A human rights response to discrimination and violence against Indigenous women.
Assembly of First Nations. Ending the Critical Situation of Violence, Disappearance, and Murder of First Nations Women, Girls, and gender-Diverse People.
Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. MMIWG2S – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit.
Government of Canada. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People.
Kahn, Sarilee, et al. “Promoting the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forced migrants in Canada: providers’ perspectives.” An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, vol. 19, no. 10, 2017, pp. 1165-1179.
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The University of British Columbia. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S).
Thomas, Morgan, et al. “Native American Two Spirit and LGBTQ Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, vol. 26, no.4, 2022, pp. 367-402.