March to Raise Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Returns to Nome

A march aimed at raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) is set to take place in Nome on Monday. The event will feature local residents dressed in red, holding signs and chanting as they march through town.

Event organizer Deilah Johnson, representing the Village of Solomon, emphasized that this year’s march will focus on highlighting the local faces of MMIP. “This event has grown year by year as has the support, the interest, the donations,” Johnson noted. “It’s so great to be a part of something that has continued to grow—from just 10 of us to last year’s event with over a couple hundred participants.”

The statistics are staggering, with estimates suggesting that four out of five Native women encounter some form of violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, Native women face murder rates exceeding the national average by more than tenfold.

“Showing up is integral to ensuring this issue is truly recognized,” Johnson stated. “Other places around the state and throughout the country have been hosting similar events, and I’m thrilled to see so many communities gathering to address this injustice.”

The march not only serves as a platform for raising awareness but also aims to foster solidarity among Indigenous communities. As the event continues to grow, it highlights the pressing need to confront the violence faced by Native women and to promote justice for those who have been affected.

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Photo credit knom.org