Awareness Day Shines Light on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis
The crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP) is a top priority of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Department of the Interior (DOI), and other federal government agencies.
Recently May 5th was marked as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day to raise awareness of the issue.
American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, particularly women, are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing violence, murder, or going missing. They make up a significant portion of the missing and murdered cases in the U.S.
In fact, a 2016 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) study found that more than 84 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women experienced violence in their lifetime, with more than 56 percent of those saying they have experienced sexual violence.
And there are more than 5,000 cold cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“Our Government has a solemn obligation to ensure that every case of a missing or murdered Indigenous person is met with swift, effective action to finally bring justice and healing. Together, we will get that done,” President Biden said in his proclamation marking the day.
In the proclamation, the President pointed to efforts his administration is making to end the MMIP crisis and deliver justice for victims and their families. That includes hosting two Tribal Nations Summits to discuss the crisis with tribal leaders.
Some of the policy changes announced at the summit include:
· Ordering all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Indian Country to better prioritize addressing the crisis.
· Adding new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel to focus specifically on MMIP cases.
· More closely coordinating efforts between DOJ and the Department of the Interior to better investigate and prosecute such crimes, using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
In addition the President pointed to the strengthening of the Violence Against Women Act to expand recognition of Tribal courts’ jurisdiction over non-Native perpetrators. The Biden Administration said it’s also working with partners in Canada and Mexico on MMIP issues.
DOJ Takes Steps to Address MMIP Crisis
DOJ also detailed some of the additional policy changes it made to fight the MMIP crisis.
That includes:
· Revising guidelines to ensure victims and witnesses voices are heard.
· Creating a National Native American Outreach Services Liaison.
· Promoting a new report on federal law enforcement strategy to fight the crisis.
· Expanding the scope of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Grant Program
“The Justice Department — including our dedicated agents, analysts, and prosecutors — remains steadfast in our pledge to work as partners with Tribal governments in preventing and responding to the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco.
Not Invisible Act Commission
The Department of the Interior is highlighting its work with is the Not Invisible Act Commission. The Commission is a cross jurisdictional advisory committee composed of law enforcement, Tribal leaders, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. It was set up after passage of the Not Invisible Act, to help stem the MMIP crisis. In February, the commission held its first in-person meeting and announced more field hearings for this spring.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who sponsored the Not Invisible Act while in Congress, also set up a Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS). Its mission is to provide leadership and direction and to get government agencies working together to solve cases.
“This work requires each of us to face our own trauma, to relive unimaginable pain, and visualize a future in which our loved ones are safe and our communities have closure. We're here for our children, grandchildren and relatives we have yet to meet,” said Secretary Haaland earlier this year.