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Native American Women Essay

1449 Words6 Pages

“Bad people commit these horrible crimes against native women, but it is the system that allows it to happen generation after generation.”(Limberhand, NIWRC) Indigenous people have a history of being underserved and overlooked by law enforcement, politicians, the media, and many more. Native American women and girls make up a significant part of missing and murdered cases. Murder is the third leading cause of death for Native American women and girls. Not only are they victims of murder, but they are also victims of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. The root causes of these missing and murdered cases are colonialism, racism, and sexual objectification of these women and girls. Indigenous women should not be targeted for these crimes …show more content…

According to native hope, “America has written a stereotypical narrative for its first people. They are seen as lazy, drug addicts, and alcoholics who rely on the government to survive." (Native Hope) Also in an article, it states that “Many Americans think of being American Indian not as a real identity for people but as something that is a fun thing to pretend about.”(Hunter) Later in the article, it states that “men who commit these horrible crimes can do so because they don't see their victims as real persons.” (Hunter) These stereotypes come from colonization. This shows that they are viewed as women and girls who are not important and not worth being protected. Because of these negative stereotypes, the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls has continued. This leads to a lack of action and accountability for those who are responsible. Not only does this affect the crimes, but it also affects the investigations of these …show more content…

In northwestern British Columbia, hitchhiking is common among indigenous women and girls. There’s this highway called the Highway of Tears, also known as Highway 16. According to Morton, the primary mode of transportation used by women who have disappeared on the highway of tears is hitchhiking. This highway has had many cases where indigenous women and girls go missing and are then found dead near the highway. This shows that not only is it the violence that leads to these cases but it also is the choices that they have to make. Fortunately, some signs can help women and girls to avoid hitchhiking. It is important to educate women and girls about the potential dangers of hitchhiking and provide them with alternative transportation options. Additionally, law enforcement agencies should increase their efforts to prevent and go after the criminals who are making the highway of tears

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