Mayor Wilson proclaims May 5, 2026, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Awareness

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In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

Whereas, the City of Portland stands with Tribal, local, state, regional, and national governments, and organizations across the country for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, referred to as MMIR; and

Whereas, lasting effects of colonization, harmful/oppressive government policies, and white supremacy directly correlate to the rise of violence against Indigenous women, girls, men, boys, and Two Spirit relatives in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America; and

Whereas, disappearances and murders of Indigenous relatives is directly connected to domestic and other forms of violence, sexual assault, and trafficking along with a history of childhood, intergenerational, and his­toric trauma; and

Whereas, these acts of violence, systemic neglect of this issue, and lack of justice for Indigenous relatives is a contin­ued form of genocide and a direct threat to Tribal sovereignty recognized by the City of Portland; and

Whereas, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives impact reservations, rural communities, and urban areas like the Portland metropolitan region; and

Whereas, in a 2022 report to U.S. Congress, 84% of American Indian and Alaska Native women and 82% of American Indian and Alaska Native men reported experiencing violent victimizations in their lifetimes and in 2024, the National Institute of Health published research findings that three out of four lesbian, bisexual, and two-spirit women have experienced physical assault; and

Whereas, the City of Portland commemorates the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives whose cases are both documented and undocumented in the media and public records and demonstrate solidarity with families of the victims in light of those tragedies; and

Whereas, the City of Portland staunchly supports Tribal Governments' and Tribal Communities' efforts to increase awareness and action on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives through programs, policies, and activities; and

Whereas, the City of Portland recognizes the importance of engaging with the Portland Urban Indian Community in conversation and action on how to address systemic issues that contribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.

Now, therefore, I, Keith Wilson, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the "City of Roses," do hereby proclaim May 5, 2026, to be Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Awareness in Portland and encourage all to wear red to show solidarity, support, and raise awareness about this epidemic, systemic barriers, and the injustices Indigenous Peoples continue to face.