On May 3, 2025, Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) youth including Junior Miss CRIT along with Little Miss CRIT attended a solemn and impactful event at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The gathering brought together tribal leaders, activists, and community members to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls.
The event featured speeches from tribal representatives, survivors, and advocates, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change, improved law enforcement response, and greater public awareness. CRIT’s royalty participated in prayers, a memorial walk, and a ceremonial display of red dresses—symbolizing the countless missing Indigenous women whose cases remain unresolved.
The MMIW movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, with Arizona joining other states in declaring May 5 as a day of awareness. CRIT’s presence at the Capitol underscored the tribe’s commitment to advocacy and community leadership in addressing this critical issue.
As the event concluded, participants called for continued collaboration between tribal nations and state officials to implement stronger protections for Indigenous women and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
