South Dakota’s MMIP Awareness and Training Event: What you need to know | News [Video]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sunday, May 5th marks Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day, also known as Red Dress Day, a day to remember those who have lost their lives or are missing and to raise awareness about this pressing issue in South Dakota and the rest of the nation.

What is the National Data?

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native Americans experience higher rates of murder or violent crimes than the national average.

84% of Native women and 82% of Native men have reported being victims of violence in their lifetime, according to a study from the Congressional Research Service. Additionally, Native Americans make up 3.5% of missing persons in the nation, a figure three times higher than their percentage of the U.S. population (1.1%).

What are the facts in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, violent death rates are 4.6 times higher in the Native population compared to other races, as reported by the South Dakota Violent Death …