Photo: MN Dept. of Public Safety

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - May 5, 2026

May 5 marks the National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Day of Awareness, a day dedicated to reflecting on the disproportionate rates of violence impacting Indigenous communities and honoring those who have been lost.

This year, a variety of events are scheduled across the state, including in Duluth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Duluth City Hall, for the 6th Annual Twin Ports National Day of Awareness for MMIWR. This is a youth-led event that centers on supporting families and honoring lost loved ones.

Other events in Minnesota include a Bois Forte community walk in Tower and Nett Lake, MN, and a statewide Remembrance Ceremony at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. The statewide event will also be livestreamed.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Indigenous people are far more likely to experience violence or go missing compared to other demographic groups in the state. 2025 data shows that an average of 63 Indigenous Minnesotans were missing on any given day. In total, 732 Indigenous persons went missing in the state last year, with women accounting for approximately 64.3 percent of those cases. 

To address this, the state’s MMIR Office facilitates communication between law enforcement and families, provides technical training for investigators, and conducts violence-prevention outreach.

The Minnesota MMIR Office also offers support for impacted families, including guidance during law enforcement investigations and connections to mental health services and crime victim advocates.

More information regarding the MMIR Office and ongoing initiatives can be found on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.