Becki Jones (Diné) (She, Her, They, Them) Secretary Education Program Manager - Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains | Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) has voiced concern over the recent disbandment of the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) Task Force. The decision has prompted questions about the state's dedication to addressing issues that disproportionately affect Indigenous women and girls.
In a statement, CSVANW highlighted alarming statistics, noting "over 5,700 unresolved cases of missing Indigenous women nationwide, with over 650 reported cases in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation as of April 2023." The organization emphasized the historical causes of MMIWR, such as settler colonialism and nuclear colonialism, which continue to impact Indigenous communities through violence and trauma.
CSVANW stressed that efforts to address MMIWR are incomplete. They called for support for families searching for missing loved ones, including funding for travel expenses and resources needed for related activities. "It’s essential to recognize that MMIWR is not a distant issue or statistic; these are real-life stories and struggles faced by Indigenous families today," CSVANW stated.
The coalition urged the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD) to provide transparency regarding the task force's disbandment. They demanded a public explanation of support plans and funding allocation for MMIWR prevention. CSVANW also called for reinstating the task force due to its role in implementing state response plans and recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community," Secretary Deb Haaland remarked on the situation's urgency. CSVANW encouraged stakeholders to collaborate on addressing the ongoing crisis to ensure safety for Indigenous women and relatives.
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