At the recent Emmys, actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai raised awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement by wearing a red painted hand on his face. This powerful symbol highlights the ongoing crisis of disappearance and femicide affecting Indigenous women. Bringing attention to this issue is crucial, as many cases go unnoticed. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of books by Indigenous authors that dive into the MMIW movement. These powerful stories shed light on a topic that desperately needs more attention. Read on to explore their impactful voices.
Trigger Warning: The discussion of femicide and the disappearance of women in this article and the books mentioned below may be triggering for some readers. Please exercise personal care when reading.
Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie
Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie brings much-needed awareness to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Syd Walker, an Indigenous archaeologist, returns to her Oklahoma hometown to find her missing sister. As she investigates, Syd uncovers long-ignored cases of missing Indigenous women. Her journey is filled with danger, but she refuses to let her sister’s disappearance be forgotten. Lillie’s gripping story gives a voice to the ongoing crisis of Indigenous women going missing. Through Syd’s perspective, this novel exposes the harsh reality of MMIW in Indigenous communities.
Little Big Bully by Heid E. Erdrich
Little Big Bully by Heid E. Erdrich powerfully addresses the disappearance and femicide of Indigenous women through poetry. Erdrich highlights the resistance of Indigenous women against narcissists and stalkers. Her words tackle personal and cultural trauma, drawing attention to MMIW cases. These poems reflect on the past, including the near-extinction of bison, and today’s epidemic of violence against Indigenous women. Erdrich’s voice as an Indigenous woman gives the issue urgent visibility. Her collection is a bold, poetic shout for justice and survival.
Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina
In Sisters of the Lost Nation, Nick Medina uses his powerful writing to advocate for the women of his community. Through the perspective of a young Indigenous girl, this novel explores the eerie disappearances in her community. As she investigates, she uncovers dark truths about her tribe’s past and present. Medina’s story brings the MMIW epidemic to the forefront, making it impossible to ignore. His Indigenous voice adds authenticity and urgency to the issue. The novel combines suspense and cultural reflection, emphasizing the need for justice. It’s a haunting and vital read on MMIW.
Carry by Toni Jensen
In Carry, Toni Jensen powerfully addresses the violence against Indigenous women and their land. As a Métis woman, she shares personal experiences with guns and threats. Jensen connects her life to the larger issue of MMIW as her stories highlight how violence against Indigenous women is often ignored or forgotten. Through raw and emotional prose, Jensen confronts America’s violent history toward Indigenous people. Her voice is a crucial part of the conversation on MMIW. Carry sheds light on the hidden traumas Indigenous women endure.
Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls by Angela Sterritt
In Unbroken, Angela Sterritt shares her powerful story as a Gitxsan woman who survived through journaling and resilience. Now an investigative journalist, she exposes the colonial and racist systems that devalue Indigenous lives. Her memoir intertwines personal survival with reporting on MMIW cases in Canada. Sterritt’s Indigenous voice amplifies the urgent need for justice. Unbroken shows the strength and brilliance of Indigenous women, even in the face of tragedy. It’s a vital read on survival and empowerment.
Searching for Savanna: The Murder of One Native American Woman and the Violence Against Many by Mona Gable
Searching for Savanna by Mona Gable tells the tragic story of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind’s disappearance and murder. Savanna’s case exposed the horrifying violence Indigenous women endure, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Gable’s in-depth investigation highlights the government’s failure to protect Native women. The book includes personal accounts and trial analysis, making the crisis impossible to ignore. Through this heart-wrenching story, Gable emphasizes the need for systemic change. Searching for Savanna is a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for justice for Indigenous women. It’s an essential read for MMIW awareness.
These books by Indigenous authors powerfully raise awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. Each story highlights the urgency for justice and amplifies Indigenous voices. By reading, we can support their fight for visibility and change.
Want to read books that touch on feminist topics? Check out this article.
Be sure to browse our Insightful Native American Reads to Widen Your Horizon bookshelf on Bookshop for more recommendations!
