The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous persons has reached a boiling point, with the Justice Department joining forces with state and local authorities to tackle the issue head-on.
In a somber recognition of National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is taking a hard stance against the violence that has plagued Tribal communities for generations.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland made the call to action, highlighting the need for increased efforts to combat the crisis and bring perpetrators to justice.
“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,” Garland said.
The DOJ has taken concrete steps to address the crisis, including the creation of the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.
“Missing Indigenous Persons cases require more from us as prosecutors,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “The uncertainty caused in a missing persons case can exacerbate trauma for family and friends. We need to rethink how and what we can share with next of kin so that we can promote better outcomes, support greater sensitivity to Tribal customs and culture, and instill greater confidence in the results of investigations.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is taking a proactive approach to combating the crisis, participating in multiple events across the state, including an MMIP Awareness event at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on May 4 and the 3rd Annual National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day of Awareness Symposium at the University of Arizona.
The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country.
As the Justice Department continues to build partnerships and strengthen efforts to address the crisis, one thing is clear: the time for action is now.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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