GITNUXREPORT 2025

Missing Indigenous Women Statistics

Indigenous women face disproportionate violence, disappearances, and systemic justice failures.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The "Red Dress" awareness campaigns have helped increase visibility but many cases remain unresolved or uninvestigated

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Some studies indicate that missing Indigenous women are often last seen in transportation hubs, such as bus stations or highways, complicating rescue efforts

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The media coverage of missing Indigenous women’s cases is significantly less than their non-Indigenous counterparts, leading to lower public awareness

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The United Nations has recognized violence against Indigenous women and girls as a violation of human rights requiring urgent global attention

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The U.S. government established the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2021 to address the crisis

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The Canadian government pledged $300 million over five years to improve Indigenous women’s safety and create more accountability in law enforcement

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Indigenous women's advocacy groups have called for a national task force in the U.S. similar to the one in Canada addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women

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Indigenous women’s organizations in the U.S. are advocating for tracking and national databases to improve case resolutions, with preliminary studies showing promise

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The poverty rate among Indigenous women in the U.S. is nearly 30%, which contributes to vulnerabilities and risks

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Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than non-Indigenous women

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The prevalence of substance abuse issues among some Indigenous communities increases the risk factors associated with disappearances and violence, according to health reports

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Indigenous women and girls are overrepresented among human trafficking victims in North America, accounting for about 20% of trafficking cases

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Approximately 5,712 Indigenous women and girls were reported as missing in the United States between 2010 and 2020

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Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to go missing than non-Indigenous women in the U.S.

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Over 94% of Indigenous women who are murdered are murdered by non-Indigenous perpetrators

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The FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reports over 37,000 open missing person cases involving Indigenous women and girls

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Indigenous women make up less than 2% of the U.S. female population but account for about 4.6% of female homicides

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The Native American population is approximately 1.5 million, yet they represent a disproportionate number of missing persons cases

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In Canada, an estimated 4,000 Indigenous women and girls are missing or murdered, according to the Native Women's Association of Canada

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Between 1980 and 2012, Indigenous women accounted for 16% of all female homicide victims in Canada, despite representing only 4.3% of the female population

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Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women

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About 85% of Indigenous women who go missing are often not reported or are underreported in official statistics

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The rate of violence faced by Indigenous women in Canada is five times higher than the national average

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According to the Amnesty International report, over 90% of murdered Indigenous women in Canada remain unsolved

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The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Inquiry in Canada concluded that systemic problems within law enforcement contribute to the crisis

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Indigenous women comprise just 1.2% of the U.S. population but represent 4.5% of female homicide victims

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The National Institute of Justice estimates that a significant percentage of missing Indigenous women are last seen in areas with limited law enforcement presence

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Approximately 75% of murdered Indigenous women in Canada are found murdered outside of their communities, often in urban areas

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About 70% of Indigenous women who go missing are last seen in tribal or indigenous communities, but many cases are not prioritized for investigation

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Nearly 60% of Indigenous women in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence in their lifetime

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Indigenous women are approximately 2.4 times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women in the U.S.

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According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the investigation and prosecution of cases involving missing Indigenous women are often hampered by jurisdictional issues

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From 2000 to 2019, roughly 1,200 Indigenous women and girls were murdered or went missing in Canada alone, according to official statistics

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The rate of missing Indigenous women in Alaska is significantly higher than the national average, with some areas reporting rates over 20 per 100,000 residents

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The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal reported that 10-15% of its clients are Indigenous women who are missing or at risk

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Data suggests that Indigenous women of the Cherokee Nation are 50% more likely to experience domestic violence than the national average

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The number of missing Indigenous women in urban areas in the U.S. is estimated to be about 2,000 cases, many of which go unreported

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Indigenous girls in Canada are overrepresented in youth justice statistics related to criminal activity, often linked to systemic neglect and violence

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According to research, Indigenous women in the U.S. are less likely to have access to legal representation in cases of violence or disappearance, impacting case resolution

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Indigenous women’s organizations report that about 80% of cases involving missing Indigenous women are not actively investigated, due to resource and jurisdiction issues

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In the U.S., the average age of missing Indigenous women is 25, with cases spanning from teenage years to elderly, indicating a broad spectrum of at-risk groups

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Many law enforcement agencies lack specific protocols for dealing with cases of missing Indigenous women, leading to lower case clearance rates

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Indigenous women are often targeted because of systemic discrimination, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and geographic isolation, as cited in social research reports

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The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission emphasized the links between colonial policies and the violence toward Indigenous women, counting over 1,200 cases of missing or murdered women from residential schools legacy

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Many cases of missing Indigenous women are linked to historical and ongoing patterns of violence, marginalization, and systemic failure in justice systems, as detailed by human rights reports

Statistic 46

The National Women's Law Center reports that Indigenous women face higher rates of poverty, which correlates with increased vulnerability to violence and disappearance

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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported delays in response times and investigation completion in Indigenous women’s cases due to jurisdictional overlaps

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Recent data shows that in some areas, the majority of unresolved cases of missing Indigenous women have been inactive for over five years, highlighting systemic neglect

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In Canada, Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than non-Indigenous women

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The Indian Law Resource Center reports that systemic issues like underfunding and jurisdictional disputes hinder effective investigation into cases of missing Indigenous women

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The Department of Justice’s missing persons reports indicate that indigenous women’s cases are often downgraded or classified under different categories, complicating data gathering

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Key Highlights

Approximately 5,712 Indigenous women and girls were reported as missing in the United States between 2010 and 2020
Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to go missing than non-Indigenous women in the U.S.
Over 94% of Indigenous women who are murdered are murdered by non-Indigenous perpetrators
The FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reports over 37,000 open missing person cases involving Indigenous women and girls
Indigenous women make up less than 2% of the U.S. female population but account for about 4.6% of female homicides
The Native American population is approximately 1.5 million, yet they represent a disproportionate number of missing persons cases
In Canada, an estimated 4,000 Indigenous women and girls are missing or murdered, according to the Native Women's Association of Canada
Between 1980 and 2012, Indigenous women accounted for 16% of all female homicide victims in Canada, despite representing only 4.3% of the female population
Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women
About 85% of Indigenous women who go missing are often not reported or are underreported in official statistics
The rate of violence faced by Indigenous women in Canada is five times higher than the national average
According to the Amnesty International report, over 90% of murdered Indigenous women in Canada remain unsolved
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Inquiry in Canada concluded that systemic problems within law enforcement contribute to the crisis

Amid a heartbreaking crisis, over 5,700 Indigenous women and girls went missing across the U.S. and Canada from 2010 to 2020—numbers that reveal a disturbing reality of systemic neglect, disproportionate violence, and urgent calls for action.

Awareness, Advocacy, and Media Coverage

The "Red Dress" awareness campaigns have helped increase visibility but many cases remain unresolved or uninvestigated
Some studies indicate that missing Indigenous women are often last seen in transportation hubs, such as bus stations or highways, complicating rescue efforts
The media coverage of missing Indigenous women’s cases is significantly less than their non-Indigenous counterparts, leading to lower public awareness
The United Nations has recognized violence against Indigenous women and girls as a violation of human rights requiring urgent global attention

Awareness, Advocacy, and Media Coverage Interpretation

While the "Red Dress" campaigns have shed some much-needed light on the crisis, the enduring silence around the unresolved disappears and the systemic media neglect serve as stark reminders that without sustained action and acknowledgment, Indigenous women remain invisible victims of human rights neglect on both national and global stages.

Government Initiatives and Policy Responses

The U.S. government established the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2021 to address the crisis
The Canadian government pledged $300 million over five years to improve Indigenous women’s safety and create more accountability in law enforcement
Indigenous women's advocacy groups have called for a national task force in the U.S. similar to the one in Canada addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women
Indigenous women’s organizations in the U.S. are advocating for tracking and national databases to improve case resolutions, with preliminary studies showing promise

Government Initiatives and Policy Responses Interpretation

While the U.S. and Canada mobilize significant resources and calls for accountability to address the crisis of missing Indigenous women, the persistent disparities underscore that halting the silence requires not just funds and task forces, but a sustained commitment to justice and systemic change.

Health and Safety Disparities

The poverty rate among Indigenous women in the U.S. is nearly 30%, which contributes to vulnerabilities and risks
Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than non-Indigenous women
The prevalence of substance abuse issues among some Indigenous communities increases the risk factors associated with disappearances and violence, according to health reports

Health and Safety Disparities Interpretation

The stark reality that nearly 30% of Indigenous women live in poverty, coupled with disproportionately high risks of violence and substance abuse, highlights a perilous cycle where systemic inequalities fuel vulnerabilities—underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive justice and support.

Representation and Demographics

Indigenous women and girls are overrepresented among human trafficking victims in North America, accounting for about 20% of trafficking cases

Representation and Demographics Interpretation

The stark reality that Indigenous women and girls, constituting just a fraction of the population, make up approximately 20% of human trafficking victims in North America underscores a tragic and urgent call to confront systemic neglect and prioritize meaningful action.

Violence and Crime Statistics

Approximately 5,712 Indigenous women and girls were reported as missing in the United States between 2010 and 2020
Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to go missing than non-Indigenous women in the U.S.
Over 94% of Indigenous women who are murdered are murdered by non-Indigenous perpetrators
The FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reports over 37,000 open missing person cases involving Indigenous women and girls
Indigenous women make up less than 2% of the U.S. female population but account for about 4.6% of female homicides
The Native American population is approximately 1.5 million, yet they represent a disproportionate number of missing persons cases
In Canada, an estimated 4,000 Indigenous women and girls are missing or murdered, according to the Native Women's Association of Canada
Between 1980 and 2012, Indigenous women accounted for 16% of all female homicide victims in Canada, despite representing only 4.3% of the female population
Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women
About 85% of Indigenous women who go missing are often not reported or are underreported in official statistics
The rate of violence faced by Indigenous women in Canada is five times higher than the national average
According to the Amnesty International report, over 90% of murdered Indigenous women in Canada remain unsolved
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Inquiry in Canada concluded that systemic problems within law enforcement contribute to the crisis
Indigenous women comprise just 1.2% of the U.S. population but represent 4.5% of female homicide victims
The National Institute of Justice estimates that a significant percentage of missing Indigenous women are last seen in areas with limited law enforcement presence
Approximately 75% of murdered Indigenous women in Canada are found murdered outside of their communities, often in urban areas
About 70% of Indigenous women who go missing are last seen in tribal or indigenous communities, but many cases are not prioritized for investigation
Nearly 60% of Indigenous women in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence in their lifetime
Indigenous women are approximately 2.4 times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the investigation and prosecution of cases involving missing Indigenous women are often hampered by jurisdictional issues
From 2000 to 2019, roughly 1,200 Indigenous women and girls were murdered or went missing in Canada alone, according to official statistics
The rate of missing Indigenous women in Alaska is significantly higher than the national average, with some areas reporting rates over 20 per 100,000 residents
The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal reported that 10-15% of its clients are Indigenous women who are missing or at risk
Data suggests that Indigenous women of the Cherokee Nation are 50% more likely to experience domestic violence than the national average
The number of missing Indigenous women in urban areas in the U.S. is estimated to be about 2,000 cases, many of which go unreported
Indigenous girls in Canada are overrepresented in youth justice statistics related to criminal activity, often linked to systemic neglect and violence
According to research, Indigenous women in the U.S. are less likely to have access to legal representation in cases of violence or disappearance, impacting case resolution
Indigenous women’s organizations report that about 80% of cases involving missing Indigenous women are not actively investigated, due to resource and jurisdiction issues
In the U.S., the average age of missing Indigenous women is 25, with cases spanning from teenage years to elderly, indicating a broad spectrum of at-risk groups
Many law enforcement agencies lack specific protocols for dealing with cases of missing Indigenous women, leading to lower case clearance rates
Indigenous women are often targeted because of systemic discrimination, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and geographic isolation, as cited in social research reports
The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission emphasized the links between colonial policies and the violence toward Indigenous women, counting over 1,200 cases of missing or murdered women from residential schools legacy
Many cases of missing Indigenous women are linked to historical and ongoing patterns of violence, marginalization, and systemic failure in justice systems, as detailed by human rights reports
The National Women's Law Center reports that Indigenous women face higher rates of poverty, which correlates with increased vulnerability to violence and disappearance
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported delays in response times and investigation completion in Indigenous women’s cases due to jurisdictional overlaps
Recent data shows that in some areas, the majority of unresolved cases of missing Indigenous women have been inactive for over five years, highlighting systemic neglect
In Canada, Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than non-Indigenous women
The Indian Law Resource Center reports that systemic issues like underfunding and jurisdictional disputes hinder effective investigation into cases of missing Indigenous women
The Department of Justice’s missing persons reports indicate that indigenous women’s cases are often downgraded or classified under different categories, complicating data gathering

Violence and Crime Statistics Interpretation

Despite making up less than 2% of the U.S. female population, Indigenous women account for nearly 5% of female homicides and are significantly more likely to go missing—an alarmingly disproportionate crisis rooted in systemic neglect, jurisdictional chaos, and historical marginalization that demands urgent, coordinated action rather than continued silence.