Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Events

Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) is a cause that has gained awareness in Montana and across the country in the last few years. However, there is still much work to be done.

According to a National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) grantee report, “some counties have rates of murder against American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women that are over ten times the national average.” In Billings, MT there are at least 29 MMIW cases, as reported by the Urban Indian Health Institute MMIW report, a number that is likely vastly lower than reality.

We, as a community of Natives and Native supporters, are continuing to raise awareness on this important issue, so that we can STOP the murder and disappearance of our Native brothers and sisters. 

Building on the success of past MMIP events, such as the 2019 MMIW March and Line the Rims in Red, the Zonta Club of Billings has partnered with many community leaders and organizations, including the Montana Native Women's Coalition, to bring two MMIP events to Billings, MT in October 2020. 

These two events are: 

1) The REDress Exhibit
      October 4 - 18, 2020
      At Skypoint (2nd Ave N and N Broadway - Downtown Billings, MT)
      An art installation that is a call for justice for Indigenous women and girls, by Metis Artist Jaime Black. 

2) The Second Annual MMIP March - MMIP Community Gathering via Zoom 
      October 11th, 2020
      1p - 3p 
 Various speakers from a variety of backgrounds will share their perspectives on the MMIP issue, these speakers will be supported by drumming, singing, and dancing to bring us all together throughout this virtual event. The event has been chosen to be held virtually in an attempt to keep our community safe but continue to raise awareness and inspire action on this important movement.
And as a community of Natives and Native supporters, we are continuing to raise awareness on this important issue, so that we can STOP the murder and disappearance of our Native brothers and sisters and to ensure that our community has not forgotten that indigenous people continue to be murdered and disappeared, and that there is still much work to be done to address this devastating issue. 

By donating to the Zonta Club of Billings, you are enabling us to bring these two events to our community, and thereby ensuring that the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples continues to be addressed until it is no longer a problem in our city, our state, our country, or our world. 

Funds will be used for artist expenses, permits, payment to participants such as drum groups, singers, speakers, and more. 

We know this goal is big, but we also know that it is worthwhile. 

"We demand more, more effort, more resources, more recognition, more empathy, more compassion, and most of all we will no longer allow for this crisis to be invisible."
- Abigail Echo-Hawk 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." 
- Margaret Mead