5/5/2026

Dear Campus Community,

Today, we observe the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). This is a moment for our campus to pause, reflect, and reaffirm our dedication to ending the systemic violence and historical injustices that continue to impact Native communities.

Indigenous women and girls face disproportionately high rates of violence, a crisis rooted in long-standing inequities. In Washington state — which currently holds the second-highest rate of MMIW in the country — the urgency of this issue is particularly clear. While Indigenous people make up approximately 2% of the state’s population, they represent 5% of unsolved cases. These are not just statistics; they represent profound losses and ongoing trauma for families and tribal nations.

The National Day of Awareness urges each of us to:

  • Bring visibility to the ongoing tragedies affecting Native women and communities.
  • Emphasize the importance of sustained grassroots advocacy and organizing to transform laws, policies, and protocols.
  • Advocate for greater resources at the Tribal, federal, and state levels to put an end to these injustices.
  • Provide critical information needed to understand and advance essential legal reforms.

As Loggers, we have a responsibility to support those seeking answers and to educate ourselves about the factors that perpetuate this epidemic. By amplifying Native voices and respecting tribal sovereignty, we make necessary strides toward equity and justice.

To learn more about the lived experiences and specific recommendations from Washington families, I encourage you to read the Family and Survivor Interviews Report (2025) from the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. It centers the voices of those most impacted, identifying the critical gaps in our legal and support systems that we must work together to close.

Today and every day, we stand with Indigenous families, neighbors, and tribal nations — not as bystanders, but as active members of a community committed to justice. At Puget Sound, we look out for one another, listen to those who have been silenced, and use what we learn to advocate for real change. Let this day strengthen our collective resolve to build a better future.

Sincerely,

Lorna Hernandez Jarvis, PHD. (She, Her, Ella) | VP of Institutional Equity and Diversity