The Ongoing Crisis: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Background
The matter of indigenous women going missing and being found dead is a long-standing problem that has persisted for decades. These women often disappear without a trace, slipping away unnoticed by society until their bodies are tragically discovered in remote locations. Despite the prevalence of this issue, it has not been effectively contained, and in fact, it is now spreading across various regions of America. This presidential crisis calls for urgent attention and concerted efforts to address the underlying causes and ensure the safety and well-being of indigenous women.
Indigenous Communities In Crisis
According to the Urban Indian Health Institute, the states with the highest ranking for murdered and missing indigenous women estimated in 2018 are as follows: New Mexico (78), Washington (71), Arizona (54), Alaska (52), Montana (41), California (40), Nebraska (33), Utah (24), Minnesota (20), and Oklahoma (18). These statistics paint a distressing picture of the ongoing crisis that Indigenous communities are facing across the United States. The alarming numbers of murdered and missing Indigenous women in certain states underscore the pressing need for immediate intervention and targeted strategies to protect and support these women within their communities.
Statistics show that 39.8% of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women have experienced violence, including 14.4% who have experienced sexual violence, as reported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The majority of AI/AN women have encountered various forms of abuse, including physical and sexual violence. However, there remains a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive data to fully capture and address these injustices. The analysis also reveals that Native American Women's bodies are 135% more likely to be unidentified compared to women of other racial or ethnic groups, based on cases reported to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System from 2009 to 2018. White women make up 65% of such cases, while only 2% involve Native American women aged 18 years and older. This further exposes the distressing reality that Native American women are disproportionately affected by being unidentified when compared to other ethnic or racial backgrounds. With only 2% of cases accounted for Native American women, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System needs improved data collection, law enforcement practices, and public awareness to ensure that the cases of missing and murdered women receive equal attention and resources.
Government Action: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Regarding the government's involvement, as mentioned the federal databases lack comprehensive national data on all AI/AN women reported missing. There is a reporting requirement for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to report missing children under the age of 21, not those over 21. Not only does this lead to a lack of data, but it also perpetuates the issue by disregarding the urgency and severity of the problem. As a result, Indigenous women are further marginalized and left without the necessary support and resources. Mistrust of law enforcement and other reasons may contribute to under reporting cases of missing AI/AN women. This mistrust can stem from historical injustices, cultural differences, and negative experiences, leading to a reluctance to engage with law enforcement agencies. As a result, many cases go unreported, leaving these vulnerable individuals without proper attention and support.
Savanna’s Act mandates tribal consultation to improve tribal data relevance and database access. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken initial steps to analyze data in federal databases related to missing or murdered AI/An women, including publishing more detailed statistics in 2020. However, data analysis efforts are in early stages and the DOJ does not have a plan to continue these efforts beyond November 2021.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has assigned personnel specifically focused on missing and murdered indigenous cases, while the Department of Justices and Interior are coordinating its efforts to investigate and prosecute these crimes using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches. The assignment of specialized personnel by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the collaborative efforts between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior represents a proactive approach to tackling the problem of missing and murdered Indigenous cases. By assigning specialized personnel and adopting trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, law enforcement agencies are recognizing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and the importance of tailored investigations and prosecutions. These efforts aim to enhance the understanding, sensitivity, and effectiveness of law enforcement responses, ultimately improving the chances of finding justice for the victims and preventing further cases of violence and disappearance. It is encouraging to see these agencies prioritizing the needs of Indigenous communities and working towards building trust and addressing the long-standing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous persons.
Presidential Response: Addressing the Crisis in Indigenous Communities
President Biden has expressed his commitment to addressing this crisis. He signed an Executive Order that tasked federal agencies with investigating its causes, collecting better data, and developing a strategy to combat it. The United States is also collaborating with Mexico and Canada, as well as indigenous women leaders, to coordinate the response and uphold treaty responsibilities. President Biden's commitment to addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous cases is evident through his signing of an Executive Order, which mandates federal agencies to investigate the causes, improve data collection, and devise a comprehensive strategy to combat the issue. Additionally, the collaboration between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, along with the involvement of indigenous women leaders, reflects a concerted effort to coordinate responses and honor treaty responsibilities in addressing this critical issue.
May 5, 2023, has been designated as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. It is worth noting that many Native American women live in urban areas where they are frequently reported missing and their remains, when discovered, are often identified. This migration pattern away from Native land increases their vulnerability, according to experts. By creating a day for missing and murdered indigenous women it may help spread awareness throughout the nations so these unjust tragedies could be recognized.
The ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women demands immediate attention, comprehensive data collection, and coordinated efforts from government agencies, law enforcement, and the community. The alarming statistics, the under reporting of cases, and the lack of resources and support for Indigenous women highlight the urgency of the issue. However, positive steps are being taken, such as the allocation of dedicated personnel, collaborative efforts between agencies, and the commitment of President Biden to address the crisis. By raising awareness, improving data collection, and implementing culturally responsive approaches, we can strive for justice, safety, and equality for Indigenous women. We must continue to advocate, support, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities to put an end to this tragic and long-standing problem.
Works Cited
Urban Indian Health Institute. "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report." Urban Indian Health Institute, 2018, https://www.uihi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-and-Girls-Report.pdf.
Bureau of Indian Affairs. "Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis." Bureau of Indian Affairs, https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis.
The White House. "A Proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, 2023." The White House, 4 May 2023, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/04/a-proclamation-on-missing-or-murdered-indigenous-persons-awareness-day-2023/.
U.S. Department of Justice. "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons." Department of Justice, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/tribal/mmip.
Valentine, Brian S., et al. "Understanding the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis: An Analysis of the NamUs Database." Criminal Justice Policy Review, vol. 34, no. 4, 2023, pp. 438-460. doi:10.1177/08874034221098909.
