Indigenous leaders mourn Cecelia B. Finona, ongoing Missing & Murdered

ALBUQUERQUE, NM: The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women sends its condolences to the family of US Army MSG Cecelia B. Finona as she was laid to rest July 19. A 31-year veteran of the US Armed Forces, Finona went missing in May of 2019 and the search for her was seemingly endless, over a two-year period, until her body was found in Clark Country, Nevada in June of this year. Authorities were notified of activity on her ATM debit card by her assailant as a starting point to apprehend the killer. The assailant who took her life turned out to be a so-called “boyfriend.”

Angel Charley, Executive Director for CSVANW, said: “We urge our communities to send good thoughts and strength to Cecelia’s family during this time for them and their community. The finding of Cecelia’s body reminds us of the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women across the country. It is a crisis that has been ignored for too long and we continue to advocate for legislation at the state and national levels to address this systemic issue impacting our native communities and families.”

FACT: Murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

About the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women

CSVANW is a member-driven tribal coalition that represents the broadest and most unified voice in advocating and collectively addressing violence against Native women and children across the region. 

An alliance of more than 50 passionate, distinguished and highly committed organizations and individuals, the CSVANW team of staff, Board ofDirectors and committed membership works aggressively to raise awareness about the safety of Native women and children at the state, tribal and federal levels, in addition to providing the utmost critical lifeline services to those affected by violence. CSVANW provides training, advocate support, and technical assistance for tribes and law enforcement seeking help in working with tribes. The Coalition also offers policy advocacy on behalf of tribes.

For more information about the CSVANW, visit here. [Screenmancer supports girls & women’s rights worldwide.]

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