At Native Dept by Artsy Pueblo, every design we create carries a story. The Red Hand is one of the most powerful symbols in our collection — and one of the most misunderstood.
The red handprint over the mouth is a symbol of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. It represents the voices that have been silenced — the Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have gone missing or been killed at rates far higher than those of any other demographic in the United States.
The crisis is well documented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that murder is among the leading causes of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women. Tribal nations, advocacy organizations, and families across the country have long called for greater attention, resources, and accountability from federal, state, and local governments to address this ongoing crisis.
The red handprint has become a visible, unifying act of solidarity. Worn over the mouth, it speaks to the silencing of victims — their stories untold, their cases too often unsolved. Worn on clothing, it carries that message into everyday spaces, turning a garment into a statement of remembrance and resistance.
We created the Red Hand design because silence is not an option. When you wear it, you are not just wearing a design. You are carrying a commitment to remember, to speak, and to demand justice for those whose voices have been stolen.
Culture, pride, and survival — that is what we wear.
If you want to learn more or find ways to support MMIW advocacy, organizations such as the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC) and the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) provide resources, education, and community support.