SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Prisoners at the South Dakota State Penitentiary are trying to raise money and awareness about Native American women who are crime victims.
The non-profit organization. ‘Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’ says Native American women are more than twice as likely to experience violence than any other demographic.
The inmates made 200 pairs of earrings and made $5,000 which they donated to Urban Indian and Health of Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Connie Hopkins, vice-president of prisoner support, tells KELO-TV the money will be used in a variety of ways to bring awareness to what some say is an epidemic when it comes to Native American women.
“It’s going to help them get more media out there or pay for fliers or to help people travel to go look for these women,” Hopkins said.
The U.S. Department of Justice found that American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average.
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