With plenty of cameras and fans around, a glitzy movie or TV premiere is certainly the perfect venue for people to see and hear a bold statement – whether it’s fashion or something bigger. At the premiere of AmazonThe Power
in New York City earlier this week, show star Auli’i Cravalho did both: The actress used her Red carpet styling to highlight the growing popularity of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
Cravalho – Hawaiian, also voiced Moana in the 2016 Disney movie – her floral Naeem Khan’s dress painted a red handprint on her face. The color red – specifically the red handprint – has become a symbol within Aboriginal communities representing the MMIW movement, which seeks to highlight how Aboriginal women are disproportionately affected by violence. “On behalf of Sister No More Stolen, I bring light to murdered women and Aboriginal women,” Cravalho told Entertainment Tonight at the event.
Photo: Getty Images
This is an alarming epidemic to watch. According to the Centers for Disease Control, homicide is the third leading cause of death among Aboriginal women; and the National Institute of Justice reports that more than four out of five Aboriginal women have also experienced violence. Additionally, many cases surrounding the murder or disappearance of Aboriginal women are often ignored or not properly investigated by law enforcement – an issue that was recently featured in the Showtime documentary Big Horn Murders Got attention*).
For Cravallo, this is the biggest issue she wants to highlight. “It’s very frustrating how few cases are actually followed up,” Cravalho said. “It shows the police and how they’re not spending their money properly.” It’s a poignant use of her moment in the spotlight that produces powerful of the final result.
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