“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Baptismal Covenant BCP p.305
May 5th is National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference website reports that: “Indigenous persons experience disproportionately high rates of violence, and, relatedly, are reported missing or are murdered at high rates. Alaska Natives experience disproportionate rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes, according to the Indian Law and Order Commission’s 2013 report.”
In a recent Letter to the Anchorage Daily News, I joined our ecumenical judicatory leaders of the ELCA, Presbyterian, and UMC churches to “urge Alaskan political leaders, religious leaders, police, and all residents to advocate for and prioritize thorough investigations of crimes against Indigenous people, systemic reforms like improved jurisdictional coordination of law enforcement agencies, and support for Indigenous families.” And stated that our churches stand ready to partner in grief support, awareness events, and policy advocacy.
Again this year, on May 5, I will participate in a gathering of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons at the Golden Heart Plaza at noon here in Fairbanks. Again this year, as with every year, the list of names of Missing and Murdered Alaska Natives will be read–the names remembered. It is a solemn and sacred act of remembrance. But even more, it is a call to action. Our brothers and sisters are suffering. The old legal maxim holds true: Justice delayed is justice denied. Silence perpetuates harm; but action honors the divine image in every life–and serves to restore the dignity of every human being.
I urge all Episcopal Communities to honor a time of Remembrance May 5 either by holding your own service of Remembrance or by joining in a service in your community. The Rev. Shirley Lee has prepared a Liturgy of Remembrance for MMIP that is available for all communities to use. You are free to download this liturgy and to adapt it for your local context.
This May 5, this Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day, let us all lift our voices in common prayer for those who are missing, for those who have disappeared, for those whose lives have been taken from them; and let us stand in solidarity with those who mourn, with those who wait and watch; and let us commit ourselves to the on-going work of advocating for justice and the dignity of every human being.
Click the hand for the Liturgy for MMIP
