Local art exhibition raises awareness of missing and murdered indigenous peoples

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — An art exhibition this weekend is shining a spotlight on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis (MMIP), an issue affecting Indigenous communities locally and across the country.

Organized by Josie Rios, the aim of the event is to raise awareness and support for this ongoing crisis.

“We are number four in reported cases of missing and murdered indigenous women,” Rios said. “This is a global crisis. It’s happening here in Tucson. Women in particular are being murdered or kidnapped – our aunts, our grandmas, our moms, our nieces and our two-spirit relatives are being kidnapped on a drastic scale.”

Rios mentioned that fear and lack of attention from law enforcement are reasons why many cases are missed.

“People are afraid to report their cases or they are not taken seriously by family members or law enforcement. For this reason, no one wants to continue reporting and perpetrators are not held accountable.”

In response, Rios organized an art exhibition featuring 13 local indigenous artists. All proceeds go to supporting the MMIP movement, helping families with travel costs, creating leaflets and keeping the issue in the spotlight.

The show takes place on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 4th Avenue Coalition Space