Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP)

Each year, a disproportionate number of Indigenous People go missing or are murdered. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) is not a distant tragedy, but a present and urgent reality that gravely affects Native students, families, and communities across California. In response, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) developed this MMIP Awareness & Action Toolkit to support student-led advocacy, education, and institutional change. This toolkit equips campus leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to confront silence, build awareness, and honor the lives and legacies of those who are missing or have been taken.

The MMIP epidemic — which disproportionately affects Native women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals — is rooted in a long history of colonization, violence, and systemic neglect. California, home to the largest population of Native peoples in the United States, is deeply implicated in this crisis. The California Community Colleges share a responsibility to ensure cultural safety, visibility, and institutional accountability.

This toolkit aims to provide campuses with accessible materials to begin or deepen their commitment to MMIP awareness and Native student advocacy.

This toolkit was primarily crafted by the Student Senate for California Community College’s Tribal Liaison, Jacob Roe, A.A., in collaboration with Dr. Melissa Leal, Ph.D, Chair of the Sierra College Ethnic Studies Department. Jacob Roe is an enrolled member of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and a rising scholar of Federal Indian Law. Dr. Leal, an enrolled member of the Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation and highly decorated educator, kindly provided her mentorship and expertise on various topics while crafting this toolkit. The guidance letter on Title IX and Title 5 was also crafted in collaboration with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

This toolkit includes:

1. Two downloadable infographics that briefly outline the scope of the MMIP crisis and can be used for digital or on-campus education and outreach.
2. A guidance letter on Title IX and Title 5, explaining how these legal frameworks intersect with MMIP-related protections and obligations.
3. A FAQ document on hiring Native American faculty, offering answers to common questions and actionable strategies to improve Native representation and support across the California Community Colleges.

These tools are designed to spark conversation, support policy advocacy, and encourage deeper engagement with California Tribal Nations and Native student leaders.

Here’s how student leaders and campus stakeholders can activate this toolkit:

1. Use the Infographics to Raise Awareness
   Display them during awareness events, post on campus announcement boards and social media, or incorporate them into classroom presentations and student government meetings.
2. Advocate for Title IX and Title 5 Compliance
   Use the included letter to educate administrators and Title IX coordinators about the specific risks and barriers Indigenous students face, and how existing protections must be implemented equitably.
3. Push for Institutional Change Around Native Faculty Hiring
   Engage HR departments, Academic Senates, and hiring committees with the FAQ sheet to support efforts in recruiting and retaining Native American faculty. This is a key step toward institutional transformation and decolonization.
4. Collaborate with Tribal Nations and Native Students
   Uplift the voices of Native student organizations, community leaders, and Tribal governments. True accountability must include those directly impacted by these issues.
5. Share Your Outcomes with the SSCCC
   Student-led change is powerful. By sharing your initiatives and feedback, you help expand this movement across the state.

This toolkit honors the lives of those lost and the leadership of those continuing the fight for justice. The MMIP epidemic is not just a Native issue — it is a human rights crisis. Together, we can build awareness, demand accountability, and create a safer, more inclusive system for all Native American students.

If you have questions or would like support in implementing the toolkit on your campus, please contact us.