back

Running for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Her aunt was one of many indigenous women who have gone missing or been found murdered. Now, Rosalie Fish is running track to raise awareness about the epidemic.

Running for Awareness of Indigenous Fenticide

High school track champ Rosalie Fish runs for a cause greater than medals: raising awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women. They're represented by a handprint on her face. Rosalie is from the Cowlitz and Muckleshoot Tribes in Washington. During a state track and field meet, she dedicated each race to a missing or murdered indigenous women. During her 1,600-meter race, that was when she honored her aunt, Alice Looney, who disappeared in 2004. Her body was found over a year later.

Rosalie Fish is the most recognizable athlete at the small-school state track and field meet. The five trips to the awards podium to receive three gold medals, a silver and a sportsmanship award helped. But as the Muckleshoot Tribal School student circled the track 18 times over three days, she stood out for the bright red paint over her mouth and the letters MMIW on her right leg. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It’s an epidemic on reservations across America. Violence against Native American women is rampant, and according to a recent study police agency are not adequately identifying or reporting cases when a woman is killed or reported missing.

Alice’s sisters, Caroline and Mary remember the day they learned of her death. The sisters say they had many questions about Alice’s disappearance, but police didn’t have answers. 15 years later, Alice's murder remains unsolved. But her sisters are grateful for Rosalie’s efforts to keep her memory alive — and raise awareness that Native women face murder rates up to 10 times the national average according to the Justice Department. As of 2016, there were 5,712 cases of missing Native women or girls reported to the National Crime Information Center based on data from the FBI. Rosalie’s gesture was inspired by Boston Marathon runner Jordan Marie Daniel. Rosalie won three gold medals and one silver medal. She gave them to the families of the women she ran for.

Brut.

07/05/2019 10:19 AM
  • 386.3k
  • 147

Stand Up

  1. Fighting to End Child Marriage

  2. Severn Cullis-Suzuki's Speech at the Rio Summit in 1992

  3. 8-year-old takes on gun control

  4. Everyday Racism and Sousveillance

  5. Ex-Border Patrol Agent on Agency's "Racist" Culture

  6. The Life of Transgender Activist Sarah McBride

114 comments

  • Faye L.
    07/05/2019 10:56

    Keep doing what you’re doing lil sister... we hear you!!!

  • Haywood A.
    07/05/2019 11:31

    You are helping and supporting so many people bless you

  • Gabriela K.
    07/05/2019 12:53

    Up to 10 times the national average, a mysterious large amount. They “used” to have missing bodies in the Ghetto’s, mostly used for organ harvesting.

  • Mel O.
    07/05/2019 14:41

    Great young lady. Courageous, smart and dedicated. Great work.

  • Richard E.
    07/05/2019 14:57

    NICE

  • John M.
    07/06/2019 13:17

    Your doing such a great thing, unfortunately for such a sad reason, stay strong young lady, you are a great inspiration to others....

  • Brut
    07/08/2019 14:33

    There are more than 40 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Montana. This student held her annual walk to honor them.

  • Rachel L.
    07/08/2019 17:35

    ❤

  • Darius J.
    07/08/2019 19:17

    Copy and paste from someone's account What are ur thoughts : ?? I can see their point ... "I feel bad for everybody's issues why can't they just let Sports be Sports why do they always have to bring f****** drama into it I don't want to hear about dead women and stuff I just want to watch the f****** sport now I don't want to watch the sport cuz it's not fun anymore leave Sports to sports"

  • Dianna S.
    07/08/2019 21:39

    Silenced when America forced or tricked them to get hysterectomies. They would go to the doctor with a cold come home without their uterus. I'm pro6that she brings attention to the overlooked but not forgotten

  • Stephanie L.
    07/08/2019 22:36

    Proctivity!! I love this. Bathroom selfies wearing the hand print are cute too but theres something powerful about a Young woman. Who puts herself out there in such a way for a greater cause. #notjustatrend

  • Chris B.
    07/09/2019 00:21

    Sorry the indigenous people WERE NOT I REPEAT WERE NOT WHITE! AINT NO MIXED NATIVES

  • Christi M.
    07/09/2019 00:37

    God bless her.

  • Patti S.
    07/09/2019 02:04

    This really make tears fall

  • Dave B.
    07/09/2019 02:19

    It’s so sad that this is still happening. This reminds me of that book “killers of the flower moon”

  • Jason N.
    07/09/2019 02:22

    But where is the me-too movement where are all these Pro women that are not backing her

  • Sanetta E.
    07/09/2019 02:30

    .INDIGENOUS?

  • Brooke A.
    07/09/2019 02:37

    Wish I could wear stuff and represent but because I am white and. It full Native American people would look at me strange or call me racist

  • Priscila L.
    07/09/2019 02:40

    silenced when they could talk their language in their own land!

  • Priscila L.
    07/09/2019 02:40

    silenced when they can't be free in their own land!