Vancouver proclaims May 5 for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women; survivors urge alerts, housing and awareness

Mayor Anne McInerney Ogle on May 5 presented a proclamation declaring the day a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people in Vancouver. The proclamation states the city’s commitment to raising awareness, increasing accountability and supporting Indigenous communities.

Duanna Ricks Johnson, who identified herself as a Colville Lakes tribal member, U.S. Navy veteran, single mother of four, domestic-violence survivor and trafficking survivor, addressed the council in support of the proclamation and described local needs. She asked the community to hold awareness events, “wear red” and display red dresses, repost missing-person flyers on social media, support local MMIWP nonprofits, and to contact legislators to urge quicker implementation of the “feather alert” the Washington State Patrol and governor had promised. In her remarks Johnson said, “There are a 13 miss open missing cases here in Washington state alone,” and emphasized the need for affordable housing and healing services.

Anna Schmazo (spelled in the meeting record as Anna Schmazo) identified herself as an enrolled member of the Sault Steptwapsee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Lake Traverse Reservation, and spoke briefly about a sister who was a victim. Several council members and meeting attendees thanked the speakers and acknowledged the proclamation.

The mayor’s proclamation and the public testimony were presented during the proclamations and public-comment portions of the meeting; no formal council action beyond the proclamation was recorded. Speakers urged public-awareness steps, legislative advocacy for alert systems, and increased local support services and housing to aid survivors and families of missing and murdered Indigenous people.