4 Women in Red: Searching for Missing Indigenous Women

Social support networks

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The issue is the alarming underrepresentation of missing Native American women in the US. Despite being over 10 times more likely to go missing, sexually assaulted, or murdered, only 2% of their cases are in the US Department of Missing Women’s database. This highlights systemic failures. These women suffer the compounded trauma of losing loved ones without substantial justice efforts. Law enforcement on reservations is minimal. External police show a marked lack of interest. The issue is imperative. A recent focus on Native American rights, like the events at Standing Rock, has brought some attention to their struggles. Awareness must extend to tangible actions. A theatrical forum can powerfully share these experiences, educate the public, and foster an understanding of their history and current struggles. Without learning from the past, we risk perpetuating injustices. Bringing this issue to the forefront is crucial to ensure justice and protection.

This grant supports a play addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), aiming to raise awareness and spark discussion. Funding will broaden our audience reach, ensure equitable wages for staff and performers, and highlight the often-overlooked support needed for the arts. The Victory Theatre's intimate setting fosters closeness and shared experiences, fostering community. Our mission is to serve as a creative hub, offering groundbreaking productions, educational opportunities, and social events. The play portrays the real-life impacts of MMIW, complemented by weekly talkbacks led by Native American guest speakers on Saturdays and Sundays. We're engaging schools to enhance students' understanding and contacting women's groups in LA for guest speakers and group sales. Investment in radio and internet ads, along with hiring a theatre publicist, aims to secure TV, newspaper, and radio coverage, amplifying our message and impact.

If successful, our initiative will significantly raise awareness and engagement around MMIW in Los Angeles County from October 2024 to October 2025. We'll ensure fair wages for theatre professionals, prioritizing BIPOC & women artists to create more jobs in the industry.
Our immediate goal is to educate the greater LA area about MMIW through the VTC, pioneering this subject with a world premiere in the San Fernando Valley. This will stimulate community understanding and dialogue.
Long-term, we aim to increase participation in theatre arts county-wide, especially in the San Fernando Valley, by addressing crucial social issues. Utilizing our larger venue, we provide a platform for marginalized communities to share their narratives.
Success will be gauged by community impact, increased attendance, media coverage, and public discourse on MMIW. We strive to inspire other theatres to tackle critical issues, fostering a more inclusive and socially aware cultural landscape.

This marks our largest Indigenous/Native American (NA/I) production, prioritizing NA/I communities & women. Success will be measured by:
Audience Attendance & Ticket Sales: Tracking overall attendance & school group participation.
Production Milestones: Assessing if the show moves to a larger venue or achieves publication.
Post-Show Surveys: Gathering audience feedback to gauge reactions & insights.
We integrate quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from talkbacks featuring key figures like Laura Shamas (playwright), Jeanette Harrison (Director), & Zilah Mendoza (Board Member). These discussions offer a platform for community feedback & enrich our understanding of engagement & equity advancement.
Our strategy includes implementing in-person & digital surveys for demographic data & feedback collection, ensuring a comprehensive impact assessment. By evaluating reach & engagement depth through these methods, we aim to quantify & enhance our initiative's effectiveness.