MMIW- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is a movement that was started to bring attention to the widely disproportionate disappearance and murders of Native women and girls across the US and Canada. The numbers are astonishing as these communities are experiencing thousands of their women, girls, and LGBTQ2S individuals missing and murdered each year. Sadly, because of federal law, policies, lack of communication between state, local, and tribal law enforcement, it's almost impossible to investigate each case. Most of the cases go unnoticed outside tribal communities and there has been little justice for the victims and their family members and loved ones.
According to Lisa Brunner, executive director of Sacred Spirits First National Coalition states, "What's happened through US Federal law and policy is they created lands of impunity where this is like a playground for serial rapists, batterers, killers, whoever and our children aren't protected at all." It has been discovered that Native American women are more than twice as likely to experience violence than any other demographic and one in three Native women is sexually assaulted during her life, with 67% of these assaults perpetrated by non-Natives. In homage to an ongoing issue close to their hearts, the women of Eighth Generation, a Native-owned and operated company based in Seattle, Washington collaborated to bring forth the “Sacred Sisters” Special Edition Silk Scarf created by Navajo artist and former staff member, Starr Warner (Diné). Eighth Generation supports the work of ending violence against Native womxn and children. To do their part, 100% of the proceeds from the “Sacred Sisters” Silk Scarf will be donated to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, (NIWRC). The NIWRC is a Native-led nonprofit organization that provides national leadership in ending gender-based violence in tribal communities. NIWRC has also graciously offered a one-year and two-year subscription to their Restoration magazine in partnership with Eighth Generation. Learn more about the NIWRC and their vital work by visiting their website here. About Eighth Generation's “Sacred Sisters” Special Edition Silk Scarf Artist Starr Warner (Diné) is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan) and Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan) of the Navajo Nation. “I wanted this design for the 'Sacred Sisters' scarf to encapsulate the strength and beauty of Native women,” Star says. “In my culture, Lightning represents a powerful force of nature, and there would be no better way to describe our fellow Native Women.” Star also incorporated the Navajo snowflake design to symbolize the dreary winters and dismal time for the MMIW and their loved ones. The design is intended to encompass the community’s sorrow, bless all future generations with teachings and bring forth happiness and beauty. You can purchase your scarf and support NIWRC here: https://eighthgeneration.com/collections/scarves-1/products/sacred-sisters-mmiw-silk-scarf 
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