Oregon Governor declares May 5, 2026 as Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gov. Tina Kotek proclaimed May 5, 2026, as Murdered or Missing Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. The proclamation aims to highlight the disproportionately high rates of violence Indigenous people, especially women and girls, face across the United States.

The declaration acknowledges that when Indigenous individuals go missing or are killed, these cases often lack proper reporting, prioritization or full investigation. This leaves families without answers and communities without justice.

Gov. Kotek stated that Indigenous people, especially women and girls, "experience some of the highest rates of violence in the country." Kotek added that "too often, when someone goes missing or is killed, those cases are not reported, not prioritized, or not fully investigated." She noted that this results in families being left "without answers" and communities "without justice." The governor emphasized that Oregon is "working to do better." This includes strengthening coordination and trust between law enforcement, Tribal communities and Tribal governments. The initiative also focuses on improving how cases are tracked. It aims to ensure families receive necessary support during "a devastating time."