U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D- Wash.) announced that their resolution marking May 5th, 2025 as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate last night.
“Protecting our tribal communities has always been one of my top priorities, and it’s important we keep the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis at the forefront of the national conversation. This year on the annual day of awareness, we remember Hanna Harris, who would be turning 33 years old, and all the other lives we’ve lost due to this crisis. I’ll always fight to keep our tribal communities safe, so that no more families endure what Hanna’s went through,” said Daines.
“May 5th is a day we remember the victims of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis and recognize the suffering of families and Native communities. We must stand together, continue to demand justice, and work together to get more law enforcement resources on the ground to help tribes protect their people from violence,” said Cantwell.
Read the resolution HERE.
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined Daines and Cantwell in introducing the resolution.
Background:
Daines has introduced this resolution annually for years to honor the memory of Hanna Harris. Born on May 5th 1992, Hanna was a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and was tragically murdered in July 2013. The resolution commemorates the lives of all American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered.
Statements of Support:
“Unmet need regarding public safety is a daily lived reality for large land based tribes and is right up front in the Tribal Law and Order Report released by BIA-OJS in March 2024: ‘Overall, Indian country BIA public safety and justice is funded at just under 13% of total need and an additional 25,655 personnel are required to adequately serve Indian country.’ You can’t develop economies if people do not feel safe; safety is essential. Senator Daines’ leadership on MMIW is a critical foundation for moving Indian Country public safety funding in the right direction. These aren’t just statistics, these are thousands of daughters, sisters, mothers who are victims of violence who never see justice. That has to change and increased awareness is an important first step.”— J. Garret Renville, Chairman, Coalition of Large Tribes; Chairman, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation
“I would like to thank Senator Daines for once again taking the lead in introducing a Senate Resolution calling attention to the crisis in Indian country that is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Indian women go missing at too high of rates still today and there remain too many unresolved cases. We as a Nation must do better and that is why it important to acknowledge the ‘‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’’ Again, I thank Senator Daines for continuing to shine a light on this crisis.” – Justin Gray Hawk Sr., Chairman, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
“We appreciate Senator Daines re-introducing this resolution, which is designated as a day of remembrance for MMIW woman and children in honor of Hanna Harris, a member of our Tribe, who was murdered after being reported missing by her family. With a heavy heart, we remember Hanna and the many other victims. We pray that someday this resolution is not needed, but until then we will vigorously advocate with all our might, along with Senator Daines, for more attention and resources to be dedicated to law and order at Northern Cheyenne and other Reservations to reduce and then eliminate the MMIW crisis.” – Gene Small, President, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
“As Chairman of the Crow Tribe, I stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across the United States in support of designating May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. By designating May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, we honor the memory of those who have been taken from us and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls in our communities. It is crucial that we come together as a nation to raise awareness, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.I thank Senator Daines for once again raising awareness for this critical issue and appreciate his commitment to continuing to work with tribal leaders to provide justice and protection for indigenous women and girls.” – Frank White Clay, Chairman, Crow Tribe
“The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls serves as a commitment to honor those we have lost, amplify the voices of survivors and families, and address this crisis of violence directly. We at the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) sincerely thank Senators Daines and Cantwell for their ongoing efforts to end violence against Indigenous people. Together, we must continue to seek justice, healing, and meaningful change.” – Lucy R. Simpson, Executive Director, The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins