Romero calls for unity, visibility, and sustained action. We must stand together in solidarity now, and for the future of all women and girls.
Visibility is Protection. Representation is Justice. Storytelling is Survival.
Native Women in Film & Television In All Media WHY WE WEAR RED is a initiative of Red Nation Celebration Institute – the longest-running successful Native Women-Led Indigenous Media Arts and Cultural non-profit enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry and the first Naive Indigenous non-profit funded by the City of Los Angeles.
REPLAY: WATCH NOW
Joanelle Romero, Founder and CEO of the Red Nation Television Network, presents an exclusive, first-ever interview with Joe Brings Plenty, former chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and father of the late actor Cole Brings Plenty.
In this powerful, in-depth conversation, Brings Plenty speaks openly about the tragic events surrounding his son’s disappearance and death on April 5, 2024. The interview examines the circumstances leading up to the loss, the status of the ongoing investigation, and the broader impact on Indigenous communities.
Grounded in truth and accountability, this dialogue also addresses the urgent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIW/MMIP), calling for systemic change, transparency, and action.
This is more than an interview—it is a call to awareness, justice, and visibility.
Other Ways to Watch
🗣Streaming Only on Red Nation Television Network (www.rednationtv.com)
🗣RNTV YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@RedNationFilms)
🗣RNCI Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RNCI1995)
No More Stolen Lives
The image that started it all, ‘Hand Over Face’.
Launched in January 2018, #WhyWeWearRed
Our Mission is a powerful media coalition initiative aimed at raising global awareness about the glaring lack of inclusion of Native Women in Film & Television in all media. This issue is directly intertwined with the devastating epidemic of Missing and Murdered Native and Indigenous Women and Girls.
Why We Wear Red was founded by Joanelle Romero
on January 7, 2018.
It is a profound violation of human rights when our women and children go missing or are murdered. It is equally a violation when Native and Indigenous women are absent from film, episodic television, and all forms of media. Violence against the land is violence against women.
Mariska Hargitay’s work through the End the Backlog campaign represents a powerful example of sustained advocacy in action. Her efforts have helped bring national attention to the urgent need for rape kit reform and accountability in how sexual assault cases are handled across the United States.
“When Native women are absent from media and the broader narrative, it sends a dangerous message – that we don’t matter, that our lives are invisible. I am a survivor of sexual assault, and had rape kits been properly tracked and accounted for in 1970, law enforcement may have been able to apprehend my assailant. I speak my truth so others do not remain unheard.” – Joanelle Romero, Founder, Native Women in Film & Television – Why We Wear Red, recognizes the critical leadership of survivors and advocates who are advancing justice for women where systems have fallen short.
At a time when violence against women continues to be a systemic crisis, this kind of long-term commitment to survivor justice demonstrates what meaningful leadership can look like – centered on action, reform, and protection for those most vulnerable.
Why We Wear Red stands in solidarity with all efforts that strengthen survivor rights, advance justice, and ensure that women and girls are seen, heard, and protected.
Native and Indigenous women and girls remain persistently misrepresented, underrepresented, and excluded across the entertainment industry, government systems, and media. This is not incidental – it demands accountability. The question we must confront is: why does this continue?
(joyfulheartfoundation.org)
Key figures: Violence against women and girls
2 in 5
native women are more likely to be raped or abused than any other racial or ethnic group in US.
8 in 10
native women will be raped, stalked or abused in their lifetime.
1 in 3
native women will be raped, stalked or abused every year.
99%
Or 1,581 OF 1,600 films featured zero Native American Female-Identified speaking characters
ANNENBERG INCLUSION INITIATIVE REPORT 2025.
Understanding the Crisis
The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) is not new. It is part of a spectrum of violence experienced by Native women for centuries, rooted in colonization and systemic erosion of Tribal sovereignty.This has led to perpetrators often facing little, if any, consequences for their crimes, while Tribes are unable to protect their people and create safe communities.
Representation in Media
The underrepresentation of Native and Indigenous women in media perpetuates stereotypes and contributes to their marginalization. Authentic representation is crucial in challenging these narratives and promoting understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures.
Violence Against Land and Women
Violence against the land through resource extraction and environmental degradation disproportionately affects Indigenous communities. Such actions not only harm the environment but also lead to increased violence against Indigenous women, including higher rates of sexual and physical violence.
Taking Action
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach:
- Legal Reforms: Strengthening laws to protect Indigenous women and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.
- Media Representation: Promoting authentic Indigenous voices in media to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding.
- Environmental Justice: Recognizing the connection between environmental degradation and violence against Indigenous communities, and taking steps to protect both.
By acknowledging and addressing these interconnected issues, we can work towards a more just and equitable society for Indigenous women and their communities.
A 2025 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Report
A Global Call to Action
On January 7, 2018, the red handprint across the face was created by NWIFTV, along with the hashtag #WhyWeWearRed. Native communities and allies followed suit, cementing it as a significant trend and bringing awareness to the Why We Wear Red mission and the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) crisis.
