710 Of These Have Gone Missing In Montana In The Last 10 Years

As we just recognized MMIP Awareness Day, I feel like it is so incredibly important to tell you some facts.

First off, CONGRATULATIONS to this beautiful young lady. I know she is personally making her friends, family, community, AND state, so incredibly proud! I hope we see more posts like this in the future.

In the last decade, right here in Montana, 710 Indigenous Women have been reported missing. Sadly, over 50% of those missing were not found within the first week.

Nationally, there are over 5000 missing indigenous women missing and you and I both know, that number is most likely much higher. Many indigenous women are not even reported missing or if they are, it is not taken seriously by tribal authorities. That is the sad truth of it.

The fact of the matter is, that when a missing indigenous woman goes missing, it is often not reported right away, and that is the first mistake that happens. We know that we have 48 hours from the time someone goes missing, to get the best most promising results.

More times than less, it is the community, the family, and volunteers that are doing the searching. There isn't a whole "national search" going on. Here are my questions:

1. Why are reports of missing indigenous women/men/boys/girls taking so long to report. Yes, I understand the 24-hour rule, BUT why is it taking days or even weeks?

2. Why is it that there is minimal coverage when it comes to a missing indigenous person? This is a fact, we just don't see it that often because, well, it's hardly covered for more than a week.

3. How can we as a state make this a priority? We fight for equality when it comes to dang near everything, except missing indigenous people?

The more awareness, the more missing people found. Let's do our part.