MDHHS helps amplify statewide efforts highlighting the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people

May 5 is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is joining communities across Michigan in recognizing May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness, honor the countless lives lost and confront the violence disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities.

 

Recognizing the experiences of Indigenous people in Michigan and the families who have endured profound acts of violence remains at the heart of our work within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We remain committed to elevating awareness of this ongoing crisis and strengthening our collaboration with tribal partners to ensure Indigenous individuals and communities receive the vital resources, services and support they need.”

 

The Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board has again issued a resolution acknowledging MMIP Awareness Day and encourages all Michiganders to participate in gatherings and marches hosted by federally recognized tribes throughout the state.

 

“Through decades of education and advocacy, the U.S. has been shocked to learn about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people,” said the Hon. Melissa Pope, chief judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court, chief justice of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court of Appeals and member of the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. "We must prioritize immediate, coordinated efforts to find missing Indigenous people, provide culturally honoring services to those who are found, hold those who have taken the lives of Indigenous people accountable and empower every person to be involved in ending this crisis."

 

Cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people—especially women and girls—are consistently underreported, insufficiently investigated and too often remain unsolved across the U.S. According to 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention findings, homicide rates among American Indian and Alaska Native people were almost five times higher than homicide rates among non-Hispanic white people.

Research published by the National Institute of Justice indicates that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women – more than 84 percent – have experienced violence in their lifetime, including stalking, sexual violence and physical abuse by an intimate partner.

 

The MDHHS Division of Victim Services (DVS) partners with federally recognized tribes in Michigan and provides funding for sexual assault, domestic violence and victim services programs that offer support to individual survivors with a culturally honoring approach. Services include a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, shelter, victim rights advocacy, victim advocates, housing relocation assistance and individual client assistance. DVS also funds the StrongHearts Native Helpline, which is an anonymous and confidential domestic and sexual violence helpline for American Indian and Alaska Natives offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy.

 

“Violence directed toward Indigenous people and their families remains a widespread crisis that demands an urgent and collective response,” said Rebecca Shiemke, chair of the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. “By amplifying the voices of those who have endured unimaginable violence and advancing meaningful reforms to state laws and policies, our board continues its pursuit of justice for all Indigenous people in Michigan.”

 

Events supporting MMIP victims and families this Tuesday, May 5 include:

 

•        March for MMIP, Newberry
•        MMIP March 2026, Grand Rapids
•        MMIW Ribbon Shirt Workshop, Pelkie
•        MMIR Awareness Walk, Wilson

 

To contact the StrongHearts helpline, call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org to chat with an advocate.

 

To learn more about Michigan’s federally recognized tribes in your area, visit Federally Recognized Tribes in Michigan.

 

For more information about MMIP issues or to seek resources, email: MDHHS-Tribal-MMIP@michigan.gov.

 

 

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual assault, domestic violence or human trafficking, Michigan’s VOICES4 hotline is a free, confidential, and anonymous resource available 24/7/365. Call or text 1-855-864-2374 or chat online by visiting https://mcedsv.org/hotline/