Missing and Murdered: Documenting the MMIWG Crisis in Canada
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) crisis represents a profound systemic failure and a humanitarian emergency within Canada. To bring visibility to these tragedies, the Missing and Murdered podcast series provides an in-depth examination of specific cases, blending investigative journalism with advocacy to highlight the vulnerability of Indigenous women.
Key Facts
- Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
- One out of three Indigenous women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
- The podcast series spans three seasons, each focusing on different aspects of the MMIWG crisis.
- Season one was recognized with a Webby Award nomination.
Season One: The Case of Alberta Williams
Launched in 2016, the first season consists of eight parts. It uses the 1989 murder of Alberta Williams to illustrate the broader crisis. Williams was killed along the Highway of Tears, a notorious stretch of highway in British Columbia known for the high number of disappearances and murders of women, particularly those who are Indigenous.
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Season Two: Finding Cleo
The second season, which aired in 2018, shifts its focus to the disappearance of Cleopatra Semaganis Nicotine. Cleo vanished from the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. This season emphasizes the staggering statistics surrounding violence against Indigenous women, noting that they face a murder rate ten times higher than the national average and a high prevalence of sexual violence.
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Season Three: True Consequences
Continuing in 2019, the third season, titled True Consequences, further explores the systemic nature of the MMIWG crisis. A central feature of this season is an interview with Cheyenne Antonio, a representative from the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, providing expert insight into the ongoing struggle for justice and safety.
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Series Overview
| Season | Year | Primary Focus/Case | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | 2016 | Alberta Williams | British Columbia |
| Two | 2018 | Cleopatra Semaganis Nicotine | Saskatchewan |
| Three | 2019 | MMIWG Systemic Crisis | Canada |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MMIWG crisis?
MMIWG stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, referring to the disproportionate rates of violence, disappearance, and homicide faced by Indigenous women in North America.
Who was Alberta Williams?
Alberta Williams was a woman murdered in 1989 along the Highway of Tears in British Columbia, serving as the central case for the first season of the podcast.
What are the statistics regarding violence against Indigenous women?
The United States Department of Justice reports that Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the national average, and one in three will be victims of sexual violence in their lifetime.
Who is Cleopatra Semaganis Nicotine?
Cleopatra Semaganis Nicotine is an Indigenous woman from the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan whose disappearance is the primary focus of the podcast's second season.
Which organization was featured in Season Three?
Season three featured an interview with Cheyenne Antonio from the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women.