Dear Friends,
On this National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls, we recognize and remember all those we have lost, and we open our arms and hearts to ensure that all victims of domestic and sexual violence are seen, heard, and cared for.
More than half of all Native women will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, and in some places the murder rate of Native women is ten times the national average. As a mother and a Native woman, this is something that I refuse to accept, and I will never stop working and fighting to ensure that all can feel safe in whatever place they call home.
We must hold people accountable to their crimes, and we must enact strong policies and programs to prevent these terrible acts in the future. As we commemorate and remember those we have lost today, we can all play a part in protecting our mothers and our sisters, our daughters and our friends. Together we can create a brighter, safer future for everyone to enjoy.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and look out for one another.
“Stay Home, Stay Healthy,”
Rep. Lekanoff