The Meaning Behind 'Rez Dogs' Star D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai's Red Face Paint At The Emmys

“Reservation Dogs” star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai didn’t need words to make a statement about the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous women on the red carpet of the Primetime Emmys on Sunday.

The Canadian actor, who is of Oji-Cree descent, wore a red handprint over his mouth as he arrived at the event, where he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Woon-A-Tai’s crimson face paint was worn in recognition of the silent epidemic of violence against Native American and Indigenous women across North America.

According to the The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Native women are up to 10 times more likely to be murdered or sexually assaulted than the national average.

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The handprint also symbolizes “the silence of the media and law enforcement in the midst of this crisis,” according to