Native American Women: Voices Across Generations

May 5th is nationally recognized as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This day was designated in memory of Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne), a tribal citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, who was murdered in July 2013. The resolution was first introduced in April 2016, and in 2021, President Biden issued a proclamation to formalize the day. Statistics show us that approximately 4,200 missing and murdered cases have gone unsolved. A red hand over the mouth has become the insignia for the victims whose voices are not heard. Additionally, it symbolizes the silence of the media and law enforcement amid this crisis, as well as the oppression of those who speak out.

On May 5th, YOU can contribute to and support missing and murdered indigenous women by wearing red and posting a photo on social media with the hashtags #NationalDayofAwareness #MMNWG or #MMIW. Posts could include names of sisters missing or murdered from your local region or state. There may be community events in your area on May 5th, which could give you the opportunity to donate and support your area Native community center. 

We are grateful for all of those who help us amplify the voices of courageous Native American women. Many have survived intergenerational traumas and transformed their communities affected by violent colonization. 3G strives to provide a platform to amplify their achievements and to end the trauma upon existing wounds that cannot heal. Please watch our video on MMIW and help us bring justice to victims and survivors.

Without YOU, we could not continue hearing stories and demanding change. 3 Generation continues to focus on the disproportionate violence Native women and girls face. To continue supporting Native Women and to stay updated on our work, please visit our website, 3generations.org,sign up for our newsletter, and engage with us on social media. We thank you for your ongoing support and generosity. 

For over a decade, we have amplified the voices of courageous Native American women. Many have survived intergenerational traumas and transformed their communities affected by violent colonization. We strive to provide a platform to amplify their achievements and stories. 

As part of documenting survivors' testaments and personal stories from Native Women, we had the honor of documenting LeAndra Nephin, an enrolled member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa who currently resides in the United Kingdom. She is a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and has spent the last six years working with survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse. She shared with us in her own words: “Native people will often talk about walking 1 ft in the white world and 1 ft in the native world. But when you're living in Britain, which is basically the colonial empire, there's this kind of third layer that occurs. Because we are such a small community over here in Britain, there is this relative invisibility that occurs. For many people, Native Americans are seen as nonexistent. That's changing, though.”

In recent years, LeAndra has developed a strong advocacy and education remit, worked as a podcast presenter and Social Impact Adviser, as a board member for the Beyond the Spectacle project, the Omaha Tribal Historical Research Project, and Incomindios UK, as a panel expert for the International Commission on Missing Persons, amongst other accolades. She still feels “Really proud to be Omaha. We did a lot of things in the service of our people. It’s that connection to the clan and the land, and the celebrations, the songs you hear there stir this pride inside of me and a lot of emotions. As Omaha, we carry a certain energy, strength, and resilience. I carry an important responsibility towards my heritage and future generations.”

Without YOU, we could not continue hearing stories and demanding change. 3G continues to focus on the disproportionate violence Native women and girls face. To continue supporting Native Women and to stay updated on our work, please visit our website, 3generations.org,sign up for our newsletter, and engage with us on social media. We thank you for your ongoing support and generosity.