Marking a day of remembrance and action, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has officially declared today, May 5, as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. In an expression of solidarity with Indigenous communities, Governor Kotek made this proclamation to highlight the ongoing plight and trauma faced by the families and communities of those who have disappeared or been killed. The proclamation aims to raise public awareness of the systemic issues underlying these tragedies and to kindle a greater urgency in addressing them.
In her statement, Governor Kotek reflected on the personal interactions she and the First Lady had during visits to all nine sovereign Tribal nations within the state. "Last year, the First Lady and I had the honor of visiting all nine sovereign Tribal nations. We met with families of Tribal citizens who are missing or murdered," she said. The day is set aside to honor not only the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men, and two-spirit relatives, but also those communities tirelessly seeking justice and healing. The governor urged action by stating, "Their strength calls us to remember and to act," as per the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Information on the specific content of Governor Kotek's proclamation can be accessed through the state of Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. For those looking to read the full text of the proclamation, a link can be found on the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
