National Park Service to participate in Red Shawl Day on November 19th

(NATIONAL) The National Park Service (NPS) will participate in Red Shawl Day on November 19 to raise awareness about the issue of violence committed against Indigenous people in the United States, particularly women and girls. 

Statistics from the Department of Justice state that the murder rate for American Indian and Alaska Native Women is 10 times higher than the national average. 

As part of Red Shawl Day, visitors to national parks may see staff wearing red shawls. 

National parks around the United States are surrounded by Indigenous communities and the NPS says its part of the federal government's effort to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous people. 

While Red Shawl Day is November 19, wearing red throughout the week surrounding November 19 is encouraged. 

In addition to Red Shawl Day, the NPS says there are things people can do all year to combat this issue. 

That includes reporting any suspicious activity witnessed on public lands to law enforcement.