Indigenous peoples across North America are gathering this month to raise awareness about the disproportionate violence in their communities while demanding sustained response from authorities.
While May 5 is recognized as the day of awareness in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples movement, events already are starting and planned throughout the month. In Canada, it’s referred to as Red Dress Day after Métis artist Jaime Black used the garments as a symbol of what Black said is gendered and racialized violence.
Events include prayer walks, art exhibits, self-defense classes, film screenings, 5k runs, healing circles, and marches and speeches at U.S. state capitols to plead for better cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
U.S. Justice Department data shows Indigenous women are more than twice as likely to be homicide victims than the national average. Many people wear red and paint their faces with red handprints while vowing to speak for those who have been silenced.
The Associated Press partnered with the Indigenous-led news organization ICT to share many of these events. Find ICT’s complete and more detailed listing here. Below are events happening in New Mexico, including Farmington.
New Mexico Dept. of Indian Affairs MMIP Awareness Day
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5
TIME: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque
MORE INFORMATION: Facebook flyer
Jicarilla Apache MMIP Event
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5
TIME: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Dulce Community Center (21 Crosstown Dr., Dulce)
MMIP Remembrance Event
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5
TIME: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Farmington Museum (3041 East Main St., Farmington)
Paint the Plaza Red
WHEN: Saturday, May 9
TIME: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Civic Plaza (1 Civic Plz. NW, Albuquerque)
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