Murdered and Missing Indigenous Woman and Police Brutality towards People of Color by Cat (Mackenzie) T
Over the past century, thousands of American Indian and Alaskan natives have been kidnapped and murdered. Oklahoma has the highest rate of missing and murdered indigenous women in America. The United States has a long and brutal history of attempting to eradicate Native Americans. For centuries, they have forced colonization, stolen their land and attempted to change their beliefs and practices. As of 2016, 6,000 indigenous women in the United States were murdered or went missing. In 2009-2010, a research survey was conducted that showed 85% of native American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women experience sexual abuse or violence in their lifetime. AI/AN are 2.5 times more likely to experience violent crimes and 2.5 times more likely to experience rape and sexual abuse.
Some of the violence perpetrated against AI/AN unfortunately is violence at the hands of police. Action regarding police brutality has become an active movement in the Black Lives Matter protests and has helped shine light on the issue of police brutality towards indigenous peoples and woman of color. The number of Native Americans killed by law enforcement increased from 13 in 2015 to 24 in 2016. A Stanford university study found nationwide; Native Americans are one of the groups most likely to be killed by police.
On Nov 8, 2017 Jason Perso, a 14 year old boy was fatally shot twice in front of his grandparents’ home in Wisconsin one evening after leaving school and was later pronounced dead at Ashland’s Memorial Medical Center. Jason’s mother said he had left school early because he was feeling sick. The report claimed the officer approached Jason, who had a knife and had apparently lunged at the officer several times. However, the report lacked many details and it gave no explanation as to why a police officer would feel threatened by an ill teenager or any reason to as why the 14-year-old boy would have reason to attack an officer with a knife after returning home from school. It did not make sense. The officer was not held found to have any responsibility and the case lacked anything hopeful for Jason’s family. Cases of violence against natives have only increased over the years and our government continues to neglect how serious of a problem it is.
Another striking case was an incident in July 2015, when Denver police shot and killed Paul Castaway who they said was charging at them with a knife. However, video surveillance and reports from an eye witness both proved he was holding the knife up to his own neck, and the 911 call was made by his mother who explained he was intoxicated and mentally ill. Paul was only a danger to himself, but the police thought shooting him in the chest was a quicker solution instead of helping him.
Violence at the hands of police can also come in the form of negligence and lack of justice. Carmen Thompson’s niece was murdered in McAlester Oklahoma. Carmen Thompson was the president of Oklahoma’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman. Her niece’s case was under reported and law enforcement failed to provide any leads or helpful information regarding her case. “I know of two cases right now in which the police are not actively searching for the missing persons because of the lifestyle that the individuals lived” Thompsons said. “It makes us feel like we don’t matter or we are invisible.” The activist adds, “If police officers are more reflective of the communities they represent, and who live in those communities, it can improve relations”.
Solutions do exist and many people are working together. Chris Burbank served as the chief of police for Salt Lake City from 2006-2015 and has attempted to help solve the ongoing issue of police brutality towards people of color. Burbank suggested that police officers should address racial disparities in searches by informing drivers of their rights before asking consent to search a vehicle or pat someone down. This requires officers to have a probable cause before searching and arresting someone. More training and requirements is another solution offered. This could help make sure officers know their rights and the rights of others and not to step out of their position of law enforcement. Most importantly, officers need to be held responsible when their obligations are taken advantage of or they use their position of enforcement to inflict racism, unnecessary violence, hate acts and sexual abuse among people of color. It is important we continue to speak about these things and gain knowledge in these topics in order to create change and to persuade change among others. It is just as important to take action, in protest or with your voice.
Brutality towards indigenous peoples cannot be tolerated. We will not be told what to believe or think. We will no longer allow ourselves to continue being violated and abused and when we want change, we will take action to create that change for our community, for ourselves and for our children.
Stronghearts Native helpline: 1-844-762-8483
National Indigenous woman’s resource center: 1-855-649-7299
By Cat (Mackenzie) T.
About Cat: My name is Mackenzie T, I go by Cat. I am Otoe Masuria. We are a single, federally recognized tribe in Oklahoma.
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
Cover photo by Photograph: Evan Frost/AP