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Indigenous Women are Sacred

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By Linda Castillo

Today as I walked on the San Jose State University campus I saw a display of red dresses accompanied by signs with photos of Indigenous women who have gone missing or were murdered. Mothers, daughters, and sisters gone – my heart sank and I was so sad reading the following facts.

  • 5,712 cases of MMIG were reported to the National Crime Center in 2016
  • Murder is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women
  • 84.3% of Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime
  • 56.1% of Indigenous women experience sexual violence in their lifetime
  • 90-96% of the perpetrators of this violence are non-Native

Visibility Matters

The red dresses displayed at SJSU are part of a larger week of events happening across the United States to raise awareness about the alarming rate of violence, sexual assault and death being inflicted upon Native American women and indigenous women arriving at our Southern border.

On May 1 the Indigenous Women are Sacred Red Dress exhibit organized by the Red Earth Women’s Society, a local group of indigenous women, opened at the Santa Clara County office building, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose. Below are a few of the many pieces on display until May 9.

Crossing Paths I, II & II- For the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women of the Americas by Perlita R. Dicochea, Ph.D.

 

Sing our Rivers Red- Santa Clara County by Herrera-Loera Family

 

Dress made by Adelina Trujillo, Indigenous Xicana, ECCAC Native American Team.

 

Upcoming San Jose events include:

  • An indigenous women’s contingent in the annual immigrants Rights march, May 1;
  • Indigenous Women are Sacred Red Dress exhibit, May 1 – 9th at the Santa Clara County office building, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose (bottom floor lobby area near San Pedro St, entrance);
  • Information tables with copies of reports about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) including the National Urban Indian Health Institute report which includes data about MMIWG in California;
  • Panel discussion regarding indigenous women in the U.S. and the Southern border, Monday, May 6th, 4:00-6:00pm, SJSU Student Union, room 1A (sponsored by SJSU Native American Student Organization);
  • Closing Ceremony for the Red Dress exhibit, Thursday, May 9th, 6:00 – 8:00pm, 70 W. Hedding

Linda Castillo is the Founder and Executive Editor of www.ModernLatina.com. She writes on topics that empower and inspire Latinas including art, motherhood, green living, culture, travel, and issues transforming the Latino community. Linda has earned a B.S. in Business and a M.S. in Mass Communications from San Jose State University.

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