National parks honor murdered Indigenous women with red shawls

National parks are honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women with red shawls this week.

Red Shawl Day, which will be observed Sunday, is “an annual national effort to bring attention to acts of violence committed against Indigenous people,” according to the National Park Service (NPS).

NPS said that according to the Department of Justice, Indigenous American women are missing and murdered at a rate more “than 10 times the national average.”

“Throughout the week surrounding November 19, people are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of the loss of sacred lifeblood through violence,” the park service said on its website. 

“The National Park Service is part of an all-of-government effort to bring attention and action to missing and murdered Indigenous people,” the park service said. “America’s national parks are part of and surrounded by many Indigenous communities. As part of this observance, you may see National Park Service staff wearing red shawls.”

On Instagram, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas posted about Red Shawl Day. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan posted about the day of remembrance on its Instagram, as well.

NPS also celebrates Native American Heritage Month during the month of November. 

“America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land,” the NPS says on its website. “The history and heritage of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Island communities are part of all national parks today. Throughout the year, and especially during November during Native American Heritage Month, the National Park Service and our partners celebrate together the rich traditions, languages, and contributions of Indigenous people.”