Hidden Epidemic by Ty’teanna and Jah’Lene

“The day my sister left us it started by me seeing a missing woman post. I immediately thought it was her. A few hours later, I got the call that it was her and it changed my life forever,” said Jane Eagle Heart Jacobs. Jane Eagle Heart Jacobs’ sister was murdered by two men. This was the catalysis for Jane to become an activist. Jane speaks out and says her sister’s name to raise awareness and to keep her memory alive in hopes for justice. Her murdered sisters name was Katrina Locklear and she is Tuscarora Nation. She passed December 20th, 2018.

According to the Seattle Indian Health Board, 94% of Native women have been raped, coerced, or assaulted in their lifetime but only 8% of the victims' cases have been convicted. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) has been called an “epidemic” and a “crisis” for years now. Indigenous women and girls have been abducted and raped at an alarming rate which causes trauma for the survivors and for their families. According to Marti Ramsey of Mother Nation, women in their twenties up to thirties are most likely to get preyed on by the attackers also girls 13-15 are likely to get preyed on. Human and sex trafficking plays a big part in it. Another problem that is related are ‘Man Camps’. ‘Man Camps’ are camps where men go to stay to work and most ‘Man Camps’ are near reservations and that results in men having access and intent to abuse our Indigenous women and girls. Drug use, and alcohol abuse also influence the men.

From an Indigenous women’s perspective, we experience higher rates of physically, mentally, financially and emotionally hurt by men, white men have higher rates statistically of being the abuser towards Indigenous women. This matters because it is to the point where the government tries to sweep these punishable behaviors and crimes under the rug despite the fact these issues have been going on for years and not many have helped our community to make a difference.

MMIW march in Seattle

An activist that has helped raise awareness and support to MMIW and Native communities is Roxanne White (Nez Perce). Roxanne pleads for our own women to families to “Educate yourselves and others on what these people are doing to Indigenous women so teens, kids and women can know what’s coming and to be ready when these people try to attack, so we know how to handle it properly and to try and put a stop to it.” Roxanne organizes rallies, marches, and raises support to assist families seeking justice and finding their missing loved ones.

Also, Marti Ramsey (Mother Nation) warned “As young girls, pay attention to your surroundings and always protect yourself.” Mother Nation is a Native led non-profit organization providing a variety of vitally important resources for women surviving domestic violence and wanting to rebuild and find healing for themselves and their children within our urban landscape.

Even though this is a hard topic, our women and our people are still strong and we will always help one another and our community will always stick with one another. These are a few stories and facts you need to know about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

by Ty’teanna (Nottoway/Tuscarora Nation age 15) and Jah’Lene (Alaskan Native age 13)

These articles are a culmination of our students 6 week series on 'Native Excellence in Journalism' . Students received 6 weeks of academic instruction on journalism by a variety of professional journalist and speakers. Clear Sky Academy is a pilot project offering Indigenous high school students social studies class, granting common core credit in partnership with Yellow Wood Academy. The course is titled 'American Indian Historical and Contemporary Experience'. The class focus is on Indigenous pedagogy, and community based, centering students in all aspects of their learning experience. Our holistic approach underscores our cultural worldview and tribal value systems with genuine authenticity. Students have the opportunity to learn from Indigenous educators, cultural experts, historians, Elder's and Indigenous professional. Students participate in projects and academic oriented activities supporting their interests while each unit of learning provides a foundation for examining and exploring cultural identity and experiencing shaping Indian Country.

To learn more about our unique course opportunity please contact us at markseattl3@aol.com our website www.urbannativeeducation.org