06-05-2025
Celebrating Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day of Awareness in La Crosse
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – In 2022, the La Crosse City Council proclaimed May 5th as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day of Awareness. Every May 5th since then, the Ho-Chunk Nation Youth Services Division has hosted the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives 5K Run/Walk.
Tracy Littlejohn says 84% of indigenous women and girls have experienced violence in their lifetime. 'People aren't even aware that indigenous women, children, and men are much more likely to be victims of violence. We have a lot more people who are trafficked. We have a lot more people who are used in different types of illegal areas.'
Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey adds it's important for everyone to be aware of these issues because if it impacts one culture, it impacts the entire community. 'Of course, the topic is very heavy, and not necessarily a happy topic to talk about. But what it does and what they're doing today about spreading awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women is extremely important. We, as a city, have to do our part and make sure that we are helping this community.'
Ho-Chunk District 2 Representative, Stephanie Begay, says educating those who are unaware of the seriousness of this topic is the main goal of an event like this, 'If they don't know about it, it's not going to matter to them. I think that's one of the more important pieces of being here today is educating and making people aware that this is happening in our communities.'
Littlejohn added, 'We want people to know that we're all in their community. We want them to know that there are people locally who are missing or murdered. Sometimes they're returned, sometimes they're not. We have people who have been missing for years or decades and there's never been any resolution.'
Red dresses were also along the 5K route as another symbol to raise awareness. May 5th has been recognized as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women since the passing of a Senate Resolution in 2017.
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