How I advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women

Summary

Rosalee Fish, a member of the Hoh tribe, shares her experience with racism and her journey to finding self-worth through running. She uses her athletic platform to raise awareness about the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women. Rosalée's dedication to this cause during her track meets not only honors the victims but also challenges societal prejudices and calls for community support to combat this injustice.

Takeaways

• 🏃‍♀️ Rosalie Fish, a member of the Muckleshoot Tribe, found solace and self-esteem through running, which helped her cope with childhood harassment and racism.
• 🔍 Running became a platform for Rosalie to raise awareness about the alarming epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women.
• 🏅 In May 2019, Rosalie qualified for the Washington State Championships and dedicated her races to the missing and murdered indigenous women, using this as a means of survival and advocacy.
• 👀 Native women and girls face higher rates of violence, often at the hands of non-native perpetrators, and are less likely to receive needed services.
• 📊 According to the National Congress of American Indians, a staggering 53% of Native women will experience violence in their lifetimes.
• 📈 The Urban Indian Health Institute's 2018 report highlighted that more than half of the 506 cases of missing and murdered indigenous women were murder cases, with victims as young as less than one year old.
• 🏙️ Legal practices like the special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction allow for the prosecution of non-native offenders by tribal associations, but they do not cover sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking.
• 👶 The disappearance of mothers, grandmothers, and female caretakers leaves native children without essential adult figures in their lives, impacting already vulnerable communities.
• 💊 Rosalie's own struggles included cultural mockery, depression, and a suicide attempt, illustrating the profound impact of these issues on native youth.
• 🏆 Rosalie used her athletic achievements to honor missing or murdered indigenous women, creating a visual display of their stories and advocating for their recognition.
• 🗣️ Rosalie emphasizes the power of acknowledgment and the need for the larger community to hold legislators accountable to combat the epidemic of violence against indigenous women.

Q & A

What is the name of the speaker in the TEDx talk?

The speaker's name is Rosy Fish.

What tribe is Rosy Fish a member of?

Rosalie Fish is a member of the Muckleshoot Tribe in Washington state.

What issue does Rosy Fish focus on in her talk?

Rosalie Fish focuses on the alarming epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women.

How did Rosy Fish use her participation in track and field to raise awareness?

Rosalie Fish dedicated her four races in the Washington state championships to the missing and murdered indigenous women epidemic.

What statistic does Rosy Fish cite about the likelihood of Native women experiencing violence?

According to Rosy Fish, 4 out of 5 Native women will have experienced violence within their lifetimes.

What is the significance of the red handprint that Rosy Fish and other indigenous runners use?

The red handprint represents the indigenous women who have been silenced through violence.

What is the role of the Urban Indian Health Institute in addressing the issue discussed in the talk?

The Urban Indian Health Institute brings the stories of missing and murdered indigenous women to light and provides data on the issue.

What legal practices are mentioned in the talk that attempt to address violence against Native women?

The talk mentions the special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction, which allows for the prosecution of non-native offenders by tribal associations in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, or criminal violation of protection orders.

How does Rosy Fish describe the impact of missing and murdered indigenous women on children?

Rosalie Fish explains that when mothers, grandmothers, and female caretakers vanish, children are left without the adults they need in their lives, which impacts who already have difficult lives.

What personal experience does Rosy Fish share in the talk?

Rosalie Fish shares her experience of attempting suicide at the age of 14 and how running helped her find value and empowerment in her life.

How does Rosy Fish encourage others to use their platforms to address the issue?

Rosalie Fish encourages others, especially indigenous youth, to use individualized platforms such as athletics, art, and music to speak for those who have been silenced and to advocate for change.