Social Media Campaign: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Parsons, KS – Aja Johnston, a Public Relations student at Labette Community College, is leading a powerful social media campaign to shine light on the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The campaign begins April 28 and culminates on May 5, with National MMIW Awareness Day (Red Dress Day).

The campaign features Indigenous women wearing the symbolic red handprint across their mouths—a striking representation of the silenced voices of MMIW. These images will be shared on social media, along with infographics, statistics, and digital graphics to educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on the crisis and its root causes.

This initiative aims to amplify Indigenous voices, raise awareness, and inspire action to address the MMIW epidemic. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs, “For decades, Native American and Alaska Native communities have struggled with high rates of assault, abduction, and murder of tribal members. Community advocates describe the crisis as a legacy of generations of government policies of forced removal, land seizures, and violence inflicted on Native peoples.”

The MMIW crisis remains an urgent and underreported issue, with many cases still unsolved. By harnessing the power of digital media, this campaign seeks to educate, engage, and mobilize communities toward meaningful change.

For more information, visit the Facebook page MMIW Awareness: By Aja Johnston, or contact Aja Johnston at ajaj@labette.edu.