In the heart of Grand Junction, a crisis has been unfolding for far too long, hidden in plain sight. May 5 marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives (MMIWR), a stark reminder of the alarming rates of violence and disappearance affecting Native American communities. Monique Terpstra, Founder and Executive Director of the Western Slope Native American Resource Center (WSNARC), has dedicated her life to bringing attention to this issue, and her words echo with a sense of urgency: "We're overlooked a lot, kind of like the Emily Pike story. You know, she was found murdered, and nobody even talked about it."

The Alarming Reality

A study by the National Criminal Justice Training Center reveals a staggering 5,487 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women reported by the end of 2022. However, Terpstra and Vee Alires Gallegos, Program Manager for WSNARC, believe that even more cases go unreported, especially as the years go by. The lack of recent data is a significant concern, with Gallegos noting, "There hasn't to this point really been a systematic effort made towards gathering that kind of data." The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women highlights several key factors contributing to this crisis, including:

Recognizing sex trafficking intersects
Misinformation or lack of acknowledgement
Jurisdictional gaps in law enforcement
Undercounted cases of LGBTQ+ in data
Historically underfunded agencies responding to crises
Violation of sacred lands

A Call to Action

Terpstra and Gallegos emphasize that awareness is only the beginning. The community must come together to effect change. "We really need people to be aware that, you know, we're there and if we're missing, we need to be accounted for," says Terpstra. Gallegos adds, "Until it gets to the point where when a Native person goes missing, that the community cares about it, then we're not going to see much change." The WSNARC is committed to providing resources and support to Native American citizens, with a focus on community engagement and empowerment. As Terpstra so eloquently puts it, "I'm always saying to my Native people, let's stand together, we're more powerful together. But if all of us - I don't care what race you're from - if we all stand together, we can get more done."

A Beacon of Hope

The WSNARC has already made a significant impact, serving over 300 people in just three years. By partnering with organizations like the Bravestone Project and National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, they aim to bring even more resources to the community. Gallegos explains, "Our intention is really just to be keyed into the community and respond to what their needs are, and what they are actually needing and not just standing in the back and deciding this is what we're going to give to you, but really letting them be a part of that program." As the community comes together to address this crisis, there is a sense of hope and determination. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, collective action and solidarity can lead to meaningful change.

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Shedding Light on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Grand Junction