Families and advocates gathered at the California State Capitol on Wednesday night to honor missing and murdered Indigenous people and demand stronger protections and accountability.<\/p>\n
The annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People vigil brought together tribal members, families and supporters in downtown Sacramento.<\/p>\n
Juay Roybal-Kastl attended in honor of her late brother, wearing a black handprint over her mouth.<\/p>\n
“The black signifies our males who go missing and don’t come home,” she said.<\/p>\n
Roybal-Kastl became emotional speaking about her brother and the importance of keeping his memory alive.<\/p>\n
“I try to make it a point to keep my brother’s memory alive and also the other men,” she said.<\/p>\n
She said gatherings like the vigil help families cope with loss together.<\/p>\n
“It’s a healing process for us to be in community with others and to help each other through it \u2014 through sisterhood, brotherhood, through community,” she said.<\/p>\n
Gabriella Sigala also attended while mourning the loss of her daughter, Gabriella Trejo, who was struck and killed by a driver in February. No arrests have been made in the case. It was the fourth child she’s lost.<\/p>\n
“Something has to change,” Sigala said. “We shouldn’t have to go looking for the answers, knowing what’s going on.”<\/p>\n
Nationwide, indigenous families are experiencing a profound systemic loss. There are currently 930 missing Native Americans registered in a national database.<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 84% of Native Americans \u2014 both men and women \u2014 have experienced violence in their lifetime.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports homicide is the fourth leading cause of death among indigenous men and the sixth leading cause of death among women.<\/p>\n
The report also found that 38% of those victims were unable to get the services they needed.<\/p>\n
For Sigala, her loss may be deep, but she said she refuses to give up.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think I’ll rest until I do find the answers and that something that needs to change,” she said.<\/p>\n
Several tribes from across the state took part in the vigil.<\/p>\n