WHEREAS, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Day is a day to honor the Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have gone missing or been murdered, and to raise awareness about the ongoing epidemic of violence against Indigenous people; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are disproportionately affected by violence, with some estimates suggesting that they are 10 times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women; and
WHEREAS, the crisis of MMIR is a tragedy that requires a national and localized response, including increased resources for law enforcement, victim services, and community-led solutions; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that all levels of government and community leaders work together to address this issue, including ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the resources and training necessary to respond effectively to cases of MMIR, and that victim services are available and accessible to Indigenous people who have been affected by violence; and
WHEREAS, collective past efforts have fallen short when addressing this ongoing tragedy, which not only demeans the dignity of each Indigenous person who goes missing or is murdered – it undermines the humanity of us all. Today, and every day, we must continue to stand up for Indigenous people, and we must never forget the unsolved cases that continue to cry out for justice and healing. As a City, we must answer the call and work together to achieve the promise of safety for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim May 5, 2023, as:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day in Salt Lake City
To view the electronically signed copy of the proclamation, click here.