CLC’s Red Sand Project Raises Awareness for MMIW, Human Trafficking

With May 5th being the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Central Lakes College in Brained hosted its Red Sand Project to raise awareness for human trafficking last week. Those that took part poured red sand in the cracks of CLC’s sidewalks, representing the victims who fall through the cracks from the global epidemic.

There are over 40.3 million human trafficking victims, 81% of which are trapped in forced labor. 75% of those victims are women and girls, with boys making up roughly 36% of children in the U.S. wide sex industry. It’s why raising awareness is a priority.

“Take the time to educate others about it because it is a very big issue that gets swept under the rug because they are Indigenous,” said Central Lakes College student Joann Hoff. “Don’t be afraid to be looked at differently because you are supporting a cause that isn’t well-known.”

“We actually have a lot of students and community members that come out just to show awareness and show that they’re here to stand behind people,” added Megan Bistodeau, CLC’s director of accessibility services. “They’re here to stand behind people, they’re here to support them, and the issue is very important in our community and with our college students.”

According to the National Institute Of Justice, a 2016 study showed that more than four out of every five Indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetimes, and 56.1% have experienced sexual violence.