May 5, 2023
Dear UAF community,
In May 2021, President Biden designated May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons
Awareness Day to honor the lives of American Indian, AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Native and Native Hawaiian
people who have experienced violence.
At the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks, we are committed to promoting diversity, inclusion
and caring, and to providing an environment where all students, faculty, and staff
can thrive. Indigenous people have long experienced disproportionately high rates
of violence, and on this day we remember these victims and their families.Ìý
One way we can support our Indigenous family, friends and peers is educating ourselves
about the topic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Two resources available
nationwide are the at 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483), and the (1-888-373-7888, text "BeFree" (233733), or live chat), which are both available
24/7 to listen. All conversations over phone, text, and online chat are confidential
and anonymous, and callers can get referrals to state or local resources if they would like.
Let us recommit ourselves to creating a more inclusive and caring society and to being
supportive resources to our Indigenous friends, family, and colleagues.
Thank you for choosing UAF.
Dan White, chancellor
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