Full Breakdown
Addressing Homelessness Among Native American Women in Minnesota
12/5/2025, 12:44:48 AM
Overview of the Crisis
In Minnesota, the homelessness crisis disproportionately affects Native Americans, particularly women. The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) recently opened Oshki-Gakeyaa, a 24-unit Permanent Supportive Housing community in Minneapolis, aimed at addressing this urgent need. Despite the immediate occupancy of these units, a waitlist has emerged, highlighting the persistent demand for housing among unhoused Native individuals and families. Native Americans, who represent only 2% of Minnesota's population, accounted for 20% of the state's homeless population in 2023, with Native women facing heightened vulnerabilities.
Disparities and Risks
The Urban Indian Health Institute has identified Minnesota as one of the top ten states with the highest rates of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls. Native women are at a significantly higher risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking, exacerbated by homelessness. A 2020 study revealed that 98% of Native women who had been prostituted or sex trafficked were either currently experiencing or had experienced homelessness. The Wilder report indicated that 44% of Native adults have faced violence while homeless, compared to 33% of non-Native adults.
Voices from the Community
Allison Haro, a former homeless individual and now a sexual assault advocate at MIWRC, shared her experiences of vulnerability while living in encampments. She noted that traffickers often prey on Native women by offering substances or shelter, exploiting their precarious situations. Haro emphasized the need for Native women to have a platform to express their experiences, which are often overlooked.
Systemic Issues and Historical Context
The challenges faced by Native women are rooted in a history of systemic discrimination and trauma. Decades of federal policies, including forced assimilation and removal from ancestral lands, have contributed to the current crisis. Amy Arndt, director of Youth and Family Services at Ain Dah Yung Center, highlighted the intergenerational trauma stemming from these policies, which has led to a breakdown of family units and increased vulnerability among Native youth.
Calls for Change
Community leaders advocate for systemic changes to address the root causes of homelessness and violence against Native women. Travis Earth-Werner, CEO of the American Indian Community Development Corporation, stressed the importance of accountability for perpetrators of violence and the need for culturally aware interventions. Nicole Matthews, CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, echoed this sentiment, stating that homelessness is a critical factor in addressing sexual violence and trafficking.
Conclusion and Future Directions
As MIWRC continues to support women at Oshki-Gakeyaa, Ruth Buffalo emphasized that this initiative is just the beginning. There is a recognized need for additional support to facilitate recovery and create sustainable pathways for unhoused Native women. The community's efforts highlight the importance of addressing both immediate housing needs and the systemic issues that contribute to homelessness and violence against Native women.
