MINNEAPOLIS – In a solemn declaration, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stood with federal partners and American Indian and Alaska Native communities to mark May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day.
This day of remembrance and commitment to action comes in the wake of enduring violence faced by Tribal communities across generations. ‘In the face of persistently high levels of violence, we honor those who are missing and stolen from their communities, leaving behind unimaginable pain,’ Garland emphasized.
Garland highlighted the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts against the MMIP crisis and human trafficking, alongside challenges like the fentanyl crisis in Tribal communities. ‘Tribal communities deserve safety and justice,’ he stated.
The Justice Department is not alone in this fight. U.S. Attorney Luger noted the importance of MMIP Awareness Day in honoring victims and reaffirming support for Tribal communities, emphasizing a dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorney focused on strengthening partnerships across Minnesota and the Great Lakes Region.
FBI Director Christopher Wray vowed unwavering commitment to addressing violence affecting Tribal communities, prioritizing victim support and investigations into crimes impacting Indigenous populations.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the DEA’s dedication to protecting all communities from drug-related violence, particularly focusing on keeping Tribal communities safe from threats like fentanyl.
The Justice Department has made significant strides in addressing the MMIP crisis with the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program. The program, announced last July, places 10 attorneys and coordinators across five designated regions to aid in prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.
This comprehensive approach includes a joint response by the Departments of Justice and Interior to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on combating MMIP and human trafficking crises. The Department’s efforts are part of its broader commitment to improving public safety and criminal justice for Native Americans, as outlined in Executive Order 14053 and the Federal Law Enforcement Strategy.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Human Trafficking|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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