Epstein victims deserve spotlight. So do 5,700 Native women and girls reported missing each year

By Matt K. LewisContributing writer
Nov. 28, 2025

"[C]aring about survivors means caring about exploitation, not just the victims of the most high-profile predator.

"The very same forces that failed Epstein’s victims continue to fail thousands of others.

"Here’s one example that probably didn’t come up over pumpkin pie: According to federal and tribal data, about 5,700 Native American girls are reported missing every year. (To put it in perspective, one of Epstein’s victims estimated she was' one story of a thousand,' but most estimates say 'dozens.' Whichever number you pick, the story is tragic.)

"The disappearances of Native American women — many of whom are presumed murdered, raped or trafficked — receive only a modicum of media attention, barely registering in public consciousness.

"Yet the crisis is so widespread that it has its own acronym — #MMIP, 'Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons.'

"Last November, Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who heads the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee on Appropriations, wrote an op-ed pointing out that '40 percent of all victims of #SexTrafficking are identified as #AmericanIndian and #AlaskaNative women.' Forty percent. For context: Just 2.9% of people in the U.S. identify as Native.

"Simpson also noted that almost three-quarters of the Native American females who went missing in 2023 were children. Girls."

Read more:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2025-11-28/missing-native-women-girls-epstein-cases

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/lSb3S

#HighwayOfTears #MMIWG #USPol #MMIW #ZorroRanch

Former Rep. Mary Peltola announced a bid for Senate in Alaska, a major boost to Democrats’ long-shot hopes of winning back the chamber this year.

I made this portrait titled "Mary Peltola — First Alaska Native and Woman to Represent Alaska in US Congress (Unseated in 2024 by Republican)" in 2023. It's made of non-recyclable trash on board.

#MaryPeltola #AlaskaPolitics #AlaskaSenate #AlaskaNative #PoliticalArt #TrashArt #UpcycledArt #ContemporaryArt #PortraitArt #WomenInpolitics

https://youtube.com/shorts/pnKWM0qUXfA?si=aZ0TFg9h8FBQK1Pq

Barrow is Gone – Welcome to Utqiaġvik: The Real Reason Behind Alaska’s Big Name Change

Linktr.ee/562AlexD

#Utqiagvik #PolarNight #NoSunUntil2026 #BarrowToUtqiagvik #AlaskaDarkness #ArcticCircle #Inupiaq #IndigenousNames #AlaskaNative #NorthSlopeBorough #MidnightSun

The Native & Strong Lifeline, Washington’s suicide-prevention, crisis, and help line for all Native and Indigenous people in the state, now offers text and chat services. These new options expand the line's efforts to provide culturally affirming support for #AmericanIndian and #AlaskaNative people experiencing thoughts of suicide, substance use concerns, mental health crises, or emotional distress.

Native communities have the highest suicide rates of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Adding text and chat services aims to provide more access to care that centers on the lived experiences, traditions, and wisdom of Native people.

More at https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/native-strong-lifeline-expands-access-text-and-chat

Hello! A father is trying to raise emergency travel funds to bring his son home with him, after his mother died suddenly.

Only three donations so far. 😭 Please help an #AlaskaNative #indigenous child reunite with his remaining family! https://mivox.net/@mivox/114462447750735895

Hey all! I’m asking for help for this father trying to raise emergency funds to go get his oldest son, whose mother died suddenly this week, three states away from where Dad is living with their daughter…

Mom is #AlaskaNative from Kaltag, and if you know US history, you know how important it is to keep Native kids with their families. 💔

https://www.gofundme.com/f/reunite-father-and-son-after-tragedy