The screening was well attended and the documentary gave an impactful look into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Crisis. Following three Indigenous women fighting to honor and bring justice to friends and relatives affected by the MMIW Crisis, Bring Her Home is a harrowing film about the violence that Indigenous women are disproportionately and systematically subjected to.

After the film, Vickie Wakanabo, Mashpee Wampanoag elder, and Rachel Winters, citizen of the Cherokee Nation (ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ) and current PhD student at UMASS Boston, spoke to the crowd. They shared experiences of how friends and family have been affected by the MMIW Crisis, and gave resources for the audience to learn more. Their stories were a reminder that this crisis affects thousands of Indigenous women every year, and that speaking up is the first step in bringing justice to those affected.

The evening closed with a traditional jingle dance performed by Katie Balbuena (Mashpee Wampanoag), accompanied by hand drummer Tatanka Gibson (Haliwa-Saponi and Nansemond). The dance honored missing women and those affected by this crisis.

The film and subsequent discussions were somber, but even in the darkness there was a sense of hope and community. The theater was filled with audience members who were there to educate themselves, strengthen their communities, and use their voices.

We encourage you to learn more about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Month through these resources:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis: Bureau of Indian Affairs

MMIW Toolkit: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

MMIWR Resources: Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center

This program was funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.