DOJ Highlights Efforts on MMIP Awareness Day
May 5 marked National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day.
“On Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, we honor the individuals missing and the lives lost, and we recommit to working with Tribal Nations to end the violence and inequities that drive this crisis, delivering safety and healing,” said President Biden in a proclamation.
The day involves remembering victims of the crisis, and discussing solutions to improve safety for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, which have long-struggled with high rates of assault, abduction, and murder, in numbers that “far exceed national averages.”
“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) used the occasion to highlight some of its work to end the MMIP crisis, including its efforts to prioritize such cases.
· The MMIP Regional Outreach Program permanently placed 10 attorneys and coordinators in five regions, to help prevent and respond to MMIP cases. That includes fostering engagement between attorneys and Tribal and law enforcement partners and other stakeholders.
· DOJ is working to implement recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC).
o Improving coordination, funding, and operations to fight MMIP and human trafficking cases.
o Enhancing research to better trace the underlying cause of such cases.
o Improving access to funding aligned with Tribes’ needs.
o Developing guidance on effectively using media and social media to engage the public when someone is reported missing.
o Improving communications with families of victims or missing people.
· Awarding $268 million in grants over the past year to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses.
Taking on Fentanyl
Another major area DOJ is addressing the fentanyl crisis in Indian Country. DOJ noted that the rate of drug-related overdose deaths is higher in Indian Country, and that drugs and disproportionate rates of violence against women, families, and children, can influence the rates of missing American Indian and Alaska Native people.
In response, DOJ said it’s ramping up efforts with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners.
Increasing funding to the FBI Safe Trails Task Force by boosting investigating resources to field offices most in need.
Launching Operation Not Forgotten, which surged personnel to ten field offices, to help with more than 200 pending investigations.
Establishing liaisons between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and FBI task forces.
In addition, various events were held at U.S. Attorneys Offices around the country, particularly in the western U.S.
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alex Uballez, said that efforts to improve communication between various law enforcement agencies are paying off, and cases are slowly being solved.
"Providing those bridges between those agencies is critical to seeing the patterns that affect all of our communities," said U.S. Attorney Uballez.