Proclaim May 5, 2022 Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day
Whereas, the City of Portland joins a growing chorus of local, state, tribal, and national governments supporting the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; and
Whereas, the lasting effects of colonization and a history of oppressive policies directly correlate to the rise of violence against Indigenous women and girls in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and all US territories; and
Whereas, the disappearances and murders of Indigenous people is directly connected to domestic and other forms of violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and a history of childhood, intergenerational, and historic trauma; and
Whereas, our indigenous community recognizes we are all related to each other, to the earth and to those who crawl, swim and fly; and in consideration of this, we have chosen to honor All Our Relations with inclusivity and align with the State of Oregon by modifying the scope of MMIW/R to MMIP; and
Whereas, these acts of violence and corresponding oversight and neglect of government law enforcement is a continued form of genocide and is a direct threat to the tribal sovereignty recognized by the City of Portland; and
Whereas, the City of Portland recognizes that the issues of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People are not isolated to reservations or rural communities, but impact urban areas like the Portland metropolitan region; and
Whereas, the City of Portland urges Portlanders to wear red every 5th of the month to show solidarity, support, and to continue efforts to raise awareness about the needs to address the systemic obstacles that contribute to the occurrence of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; and
Whereas, the City of Portland continues to advocate to our state and congressional delegations for legislation and policy to address the crisis, and follow the guidance of Native leaders; and
Whereas, All Indigenous Nations stand together in solidarity against sexual violence and domestic abuse, and work to address the root causes of these persistent systemic issues and protect our relatives from further harm.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim May 5, 2022 to be
Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day
in Portland and encourage all residents to observe this day.