Overall, the percentage of missing Indigenous person cases in 2021 increased to 30%, according to Montana DOJ’s 2021 data, up from an average of about 26% between 2017 and 2019.
In states like Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Washington Indigenous women go missing more often than indigenous men. Many are found dead, others are never found.
The event, organized by women’s rights groups Zonta International and the Montana Native Women’s Coalition, was the first in-person MMIP march in Billings since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dozens gathered in front of American Indian Hall at Montana State University on Thursday to spread awareness for National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day.