Governor Kotek marks May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons awareness day and urges action

Governor Kotek issued a statement marking May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons awareness day and urged Oregonians to support Indigenous families seeking answers.

Kotek said the awareness day is meant “to call out something that should never be ignored,” and noted that “across the United States, indigenous people, especially women and girls, experience some of the highest rates of violence in the country.” She said too often those cases “are not reported, not prioritized, or not fully investigated,” leaving families “without answers” and communities “without justice.”

The governor outlined steps Oregon is taking to respond. “This includes strengthening coordination between law enforcement and tribal governments, improving how cases are tracked, and making sure families have the support they need during what is a devastating time,” Kotek said. The statement framed those changes as both institutional and personal: she added that the work “is not just about systems. It's about people” and emphasized recognizing “the history and the harm that indigenous communities have faced.”

Kotek thanked tribal leaders, advocates and families “who continue to push for accountability and change,” saying their voices “matter, and they are being heard.” She closed by encouraging residents to educate themselves and offer support: “I encourage all Oregonians to take a moment to learn more, to listen, and to stand with indigenous communities across our state.”

The statement did not include additional policy details, funding amounts or timelines for the measures Kotek described.