Crisis of Missing Indigenous Women: U.S. Systemic Failures

Systemic Failures Fuel Crisis of Missing Indigenous Women in the U.S.

A virtual panel held on March 11, 2023, highlighted the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in the United States. The discussion took place during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, drawing attention to systemic failures and alarming statistics.

The National Episcopal Church Women organised the event, where experts examined the deep-rooted causes and devastating impacts of violence against Native American communities.

The panel revealed stark figures: over half of all Native American women—predominantly young—have faced sexual violence. Native women are also more than twice as likely to experience violence compared to any other demographic, with 84.3% reporting violence in their lifetime. Homicide remains a leading cause of death, ranking fourth for Indigenous men and boys aged 1 to 44 and sixth for women and girls in the same age group.

Jurisdictional hurdles worsen the crisis. A patchwork of tribal, federal, state, and local laws often delays or prevents investigations. The 1978 *Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe* ruling further weakened tribal authority, leaving gaps in law enforcement. As a result, the Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates around 4,200 unsolved cases due to insufficient resources. Panelists traced the issue back to colonialism, citing forced assimilation, Indigenous boarding schools, and land dispossession. These policies eroded traditional roles and values, fostering systemic racism and devaluing women's place in communities. The loss of Indigenous women, they noted, also inflicts deep spiritual harm on their people. Since 2021, 12 U.S. states—including Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Arizona—have introduced laws or programs to tackle the issue. Yet challenges remain in reforming education and shifting cultural norms to restore respect for women as life-givers.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for coordinated action across jurisdictions and communities. While recent state-level reforms mark progress, thousands of cases stay unresolved. Addressing the crisis, experts agreed, requires confronting historical injustices and rebuilding systems that protect Indigenous women and girls.