Running For Justice
Hello Community,
It’s been a big week, with families and groups, creating events and space to bring Indigenous Peoples and allies together for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Peoples. We are so happy with community wearing red, uplifting Indigenous families and voices, and content about this crisis. Keep sharing and keep showing up. The loss of a loved one, is always felt and there, and for families who have lost a loved one, for survivors of violence, and for advocates, this week can always be extra heavy.
Please check in on your Indigenous friends and family. May 5th, is a day of action and awareness for families who lost a loved one from this crisis of violence that is happening to Indigenous Peoples. It’s triggering. It’s uncomfortable. It’s also, healing for some. It’s a day to bring community together, to support families, and to bring in more friends / allies. And more opportunities to learn and support, are happening every day.
WE ARE CALLING ON YOU:
Our goal on May 5th through May 8th, is to get 150 NEW registration / donations - we need your help to get there!
Help us raise $10,000 for MMIWP Advocacy organizations and families! Rising Hearts is honored and grateful to bring the community together to honor, uplift, and send prayers for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, their families, and for the advocates within these spaces - their dedication and their heart work to support the families, communities, the advocacy and finding solutions to end this epidemic.
You, if you have been with us for a while, and know what we do, you have been helping to give back and be part of this movement, in an meaningful way. For those new to Rising Hearts and to our newsletters, you’ll catch up quickly, what we do, and provide ways for you to be part of it! So thank you!
We’ve Raised:
2019: $6,890
2020: $12,700
2021: $77,723
2022: $21,187
2023: $18,237
2024: $6,416
2025: $6,472
We have many voices doing this heart work to advocate and fight for a better future for our next generations. We continue to educate, advocate, create content, uplift, and build community to work towards that future together. This epidemic of violence has impacted our communities, across colonial borders, and is impacting so many families, whose stolen relatives have been erased, who are invisible (outside of Indigenous communities), families and relatives who experience racism on so many levels, and continue to not get the platform and space to be seen, heard, and fought for. We can change that. Be in community with us! Join us for this run/walk/event and be sure to join us in all the virtual events that are being organized for the week of action that you can participate in and learn from.
Our goal is big, but not impossible!
Join us in this virtual run and events to help us raise $10,000 to give back to the communities in this work so that we can end the violence and systemic barriers that are happening and to run for justice and healing.
- Rising Hearts
We are here, checking in on you. Take a breathe. Get outside for a minute, take some deep breathes. Drink water. Fuel your body. For the families, the for advocates, for those running, using their voice, using their talents today, take time for break and a mental health check.
For community and allies, a wellness check for yourself is needed too, because this heart work, this crisis and reality, is a lot.
Care for yourselves in the ways you need.
May 5th - day of action and awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Peoples. This advocacy and fight for justice is every day, not just this week, not just today.
As community, we can do our part to make today, all about the stolen loved ones and their families. We can flood our feeds with red. Fill our stories and feed with content, led by Indigenous families, advocates and organizations. At your events, social gatherings, lunch / dinner table talk, take this opportunity to bring awareness and educate those who may not know what today is. Let it be a conversation starter.
Below, are ways to honor missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples and very simple ways of taking action today.
+ Honor and remember Hanna Harris
+ Wear Red
+ Follow Indigenous organizations
HONORING HANNA HARRIS
HANNA HARRIS
May 5th - This day wouldn’t be possible or recognized if it wasn’t for Hanna Harris, her family and the advocates. Continuously fighting for justice, accountability, healing, and a future where Indigenous Peoples aren’t targeted, treated as disposable, and invisible to the rest of society, not only for Hanna, but for all missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples.
May 5th is Hanna’s birthday and her birthday as a day of awareness and action helps to bring visibility to all MMIWGT2SP, their families and the advocates.
TRIGGER WARNING:
A congressional resolution to designate May 5th as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls was introduced. The resolution was drafted in memory & honor of Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne) who was murdered in July 2013. The resolution was first introduced in April 2016 on the same day that RoyLynn Rides Horse (Crow) passed away after having been beaten, burned, and left in a field. Nearly 200 tribal, national, and state organizations supported this resolution.
To learn more about the heart work that went into this – VISIT www.niwrc.org
On May 5, 2018, the United States Senate passed a co-sponsored resolution to declare May 5th, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womxn. As the advocacy grows, this includes our 2 Spirits, girls, boys, men, elders, LGBTQ, non-binary relatives & relatives with disabilities – all relatives.
The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples is a silent / invisible international crisis. It is happening across Indian Country on Turtle Island (North America) and extends beyond colonial borders, to our southern relatives, Central and South America - Eagle and Condor.
To be honest, this violence, racism, and oppression is happening to Indigenous and marginalized communities all over the world. To frontline communities feeling the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, from the rivers here in the US to Palestine, to land - air - water protectors defending their people, lands and communities against big oil - resource extraction and dirty infrastructure projects that places higher value on profit over the wellbeing of the people and lands.
We must continue to amplify the movement led by families, advocates, and survivors. We must bring an end to this crisis.
THE CRISIS
The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples is a silent / invisible, international crisis. It is happening across Indian Country on Turtle Island (North America) and extends beyond colonial borders, to our southern relatives, Central and South America - Eagle and Condor.
To be honest, this violence, racism, and oppression is happening to Indigenous and marginalized communities all over the world. To frontline communities feeling the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, from the rivers here in the US to Palestine, to land - air - water protectors defending their people, lands and communities against big oil - resource extraction and dirty infrastructure projects that places higher value on profit over the wellbeing of the people and lands.
We must continue to amplify the movement led by families, advocates, and survivors. We must bring an end to this crisis.
Indigenous Peoples go missing 3 times:
1.) In life: The fight for justice and accountability, becomes that much harder for loved ones. When their loved one goes missing or is found unalive, they should be grieving, instead, they are fighting for answers, they are organizing search & rescue, fundraising, and are the boots on the ground when law enforcement and other agencies are not taking these matters seriously until it’s too late.
2.) In the media: The misrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples happens too often - long history of racism, oppression, genocide, stereotypes, hypersexualization and fetishization of Indigenous women, girls and Peoples since 1492. The media’s responsibility is to REPORT the facts, help amplify, and HUMANIZE the missing or murdered Person.
3.) In the data: In 2016, 5,712 Indigenous women and girls were reported missing and ONLY116 were logged into the Department of Justice database. Accurate documentation and reporting needs to be reflected - Congress/Government, sadly needs “data” which = HUMANS, to get the fire lit in prompting any sort of action like policy, allocation of funds and resources, trainings and more.
The More You Know:
+ In 2016, 5,712 Indigenous women + girls were reported missing, 116 were reported into the DOJ Database (Urban Indian Health Institute)
+ 86% of Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetime + Under-reported, under-funded
+ Homicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for Native peoples
+ 84% of women and girls experience violence in our lifetime
+ 84% of Alaska Native women experience violence + rape cases for AK native women are 2.5 times higher than any other group in AK
+ 56% of women and girls experience sexual violence
+ 86% of perpetrators are non-Native people
+ Indigenous people are dying 10 times higher than any other race or group
+ Jurisdictional loopholes, making prosecution difficult
+ Institutionalized racism within law enforcement agencies that prevent them from taking immediate action in supporting the families
SOLUTIONS
+ Anti-racism training for Law Enforcement Agencies
+ Allocation of funds / resources for Families, Advocacy Organizations
+ Policy - Savanna’s Act, Hanna’s Act, Not Invisible Act, Nationalizing Red Alert System
+ Proper training on working with Indigenous families and community and reporting when a loved goes missing
+ Funds for healing / mental health support for families, survivors and advocates and Safety Training + Planning (preventative)
Ways to Show Support:
Wear red / hang red dress on your porch, tree outside or window
Donate to MMIWP families, organizations and advocates
Gift a care package to an MMIWP family
Amplify MMIWP families, organizations, advocates, + resources
Download a report, watch a webinar (NIWRC, Sovereign Bodies Institute, Urban Indian Health Institute, MIWSAC, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, Tribal Law and Policy Institute)
TAKE ACTION WITH RISING HEARTS
8th Annual Running For Justice - 5k, 10k, Half Marathon & 113 Mile Relay Run for Emily Pike
Join our virtual team - RUNNING FOR JUSTICE
We’ve Raised:
2019: $6,890
2020: $12,700
2021: $77,723
2022: $21,187
2023: $18,237
2024: $6,416
2025: $6,472
OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR 2026: $10,000
Registration + Donations go to:
+ National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
+ Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
+ Rising Hearts - You Are Loved Grant for MMIP Families, Survivors, Advocates
When: May 1-8 2025
Where: In Person and Virtual
Options to just donate
Purchase Stickers
Create or Join a team
REGISTRATION / INCENTIVE PERKS:
+ INCENTIVES: Join virtual team RISING HEARTS for 4 of you to have a chance at winning a pair of On running shoes, and 4 of you to win Rising Hearts merch.
+ Running For Justice shirts are still available via Rising Hearts - get your red and wear throughout the year! http://www.risinghearts.org/shop-heartwork
BENEFICIARIES
RISING HEARTS
Rising Hearts has organized movement events and fundraisers since 2019. We have held educational forums and teachings on safety planning, panels featuring MMIP advocates and voices, and host in person events to bring people together for awareness, action and solidarity.
Through fundraising and support, we are able to do this kind of activations and programming. And we hope to keep it going!
Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women
The mission of the CSVANW (Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women) is to eradicate violence against Native women and children by championing social change within our communities. We are dedicated to taking responsibility for the future wellbeing of Native women and children. Through the pillars of support, education, and advocacy, we leverage our collective strengths, power, and unity towards the creation of violence-free communities. Our vision encapsulates the essence of our efforts: fostering Healthy Families, Healthy Communities. This vision guides our commitment to healing and transforming our communities into safe, nurturing spaces for the growth and prosperity of all its members.
Donation Link: https://csvanw.org/donate-now/
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC)
Providing national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women and communities by lifting up the collective voices of grassroots advocates and offering culturally grounded resources, technical assistance and training, and policy development to strengthen Tribal sovereignty.
Donation Link: https://www.niwrc.org/donate
113 MILE RELAY FOR EMILY PIKE
This is an additional distance where teams of 6 runners can collectively add their miles together to get to 113 miles total. A symbolic run, an honor run, for Emily Pike.
1 Person signs up, and adds their teammates emails when they register!
Rising Hearts will have a team of 8 runners in person running 113 relay in Harrisonburg, VA for May 5th raising awareness and running in prayer for Emily Pike.
The 113 miles is the distance Emily was traveling before her life was stolen. We are symbolically, finishing her journey, raising funds for her family, getting them closer to justice and bringing awareness for May 5th and the crisis of MMIWP.
May 1 - 10, 2026
+ Available to select with $15 donation. This donation gets donated across all beneficiaries.
+ Filmmakers will email you the link starting May 1st and any donation selections for this film on and after May 1st, will be a day to day basis, and ends on May 8th.
+ This gives those who select this option on May 8th, 2 more days to watch at home!
WEAR RED
Wear red in solidarity! Purchase between now and April 30th to receive in time for May 5th!
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
TAKE ACTION with NIWRC / Shareable Resources for you via NIWRC:
+ Download the ‘No More Stolen Sisters’ poster and share a photo of yourself wearing red and/or traditional attire with the poster on social media using #MMIWGActionNow, #NoMoreStolenSisters and #MMIWG
+ Explore MMIW Toolkit for Understanding and Responding to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women for Families and Communities.
+ Learn more about the crisis of MMIW with the Restoration Magazine Special Edition: Missing and Murdered Women
+ Share StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-762-8483) with relatives facing domestic, dating or sexual violence. Online chat is available at strongheartshelpline.org.
+ Read “Advocacy in Action: 6-Point Action Plan” by NIWRC
+ Find MMIW State Legislation with the MMIW Legislative Tracker
+ Sign petition to declare December 6 as the International Day to End Femicide
+ Learn more about Savanna’s Act: https://www.niwrc.org/resources/fact-sheet/savannas-act
+ Learn more about Not Invisible Act: https://www.niwrc.org/resources/fact-sheet/not-invisible-act
+ View War on Indigenous Women: A Short Guide for Journalists Reporting on MMIWG
Rising Hearts, 250 E Elizabeth St, Ste 115, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, United States
TAKE ACTION
1.) CENTER INDIGENOUS FAMILIES AND THEIR LOVED ONES.
2.) Amplify and donate if you can.
3.) Volunteer for the families and advocacy organizations.
4.) Create Content to Boost the Movement: If you’re trying to bring visibility to a person, try to get in connection with the family. Make sure information is accurate.
If you’re trying to create visibility for the movement and those putting in the work, reach out to the advocacy organizations, learn from them, participate in their events and engagement opportunities. Collaborate with them.
5.) On May 5th - WEAR RED.
6.). Continue spreading awareness about the epidemic of violence against Indigenous Peoples all throughout the year.
7.) Follow Indigenous Peoples on social media. Boost their platforms and voice.
8.) Be an ally, a co-conspirator.
WATCH
+ Murder In Bighorn (3 part Showtime docuseries): Watch here
+ Finding Ashley: A Native American Family’s desperate search for their missing relative (Ashley Loring Heavyrunner) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PubiIdVO7-w
+ Me, Hereafter (Hulu series) - Savanna Lafontaine Greywind
+ The Search: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women – The Fault Lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPv0NDfMbA
+ Two Spirits - Fred Martinez: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/twospirits
+ Silent No More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdjXyUPXtZs
+ Between The Lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOXyGJuRMmo
+ Indigenous Women Keep Going Missing in Montana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib0GDAPeymo
+ Searchers: Highway of Tears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz63Vppw3gE
+ Blackfeet Boxing: Not Invisible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnjUwjGD37U
READ
BOOKS TO READ:
Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch (Now to become a series adaptation soon by Paramount+, by Sterlin Harjo & Erica Tremblay)
The Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDiarmid
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance by Leanne Betasamosa Simpson
Stolen Sisters: The Story of Two Missing Girls, Their Families, and How Canada has Failed Indigenous Women by Emmanuelle Walter
Red River Girl: The life and death of Tina Fontaine by Joanna Jolly
Forever Loved: Exposing the hidden Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada by Lavell Memee.D Harvard
Kwe: Standing with our Sisters by Joseph Boyden
Obstruction of Justice: the Search for Truth on Canada’s Highway of Tears by Ray Machaulko
LISTEN
1. The Red Justice Project Podcast
2. Stolen:The Search for Jermain Charlo, Trouble in Sweetwater and The Search for Jermain (By Connie Walker)
3. Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo & Alberta Williams (By Connie Walker) Season 1 & 2
4. Not Invisible – Native Womxn on the Frontlines Podcast by Red House Series
5. Blood River (shows the connection between violence against the Earth and Peoples and Berta Caceres)
6. For The Wild (episode about MMIR and MMIR/Connection to Violence Against Earth): Running in Prayer with Jordan & Funding Fossil Fuels, and Femicide with Roxanne White & Rachel Heaton
7. Crime Junkie Podcast: Highway of Tears episode, Women of Juarez episode, Amber Tuccaro episode, Faith Hedgepeth episode and more!
8. Up and Vanished: Season 3 - Ashley Loring Heavyrunner
