The ongoing crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous persons in Utah continues to plague Tribal communities, despite efforts by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address the issue.
In recognition of National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the crisis, but his words fell flat for many in Tribal communities who have endured generations of violence.
“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 Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain.”
However, critics argue that the DOJ’s efforts are insufficient, and that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the crisis.
The DOJ’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which prioritizes MMIP cases in five designated regions across the United States, has been seen as a step in the right direction. However, many in Tribal communities are skeptical of the program’s effectiveness.
“The work is never done, but through prosecution, we will continue to seek justice for the victims and their families and be the voice of victims who can no longer speak,” said United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins. “But we need to do more than just prosecute. We need to address the systemic issues that contribute to this crisis.”
The FBI, DEA, and other law enforcement agencies have also pledged to work with Tribal communities to address the violence and human trafficking that disproportionately affects Indigenous people. However, many in Tribal communities are waiting to see tangible results.
“We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “But we need to do more than just investigate. We need to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place.”
The DOJ’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis are a step in the right direction, but many in Tribal communities are waiting to see meaningful change. Until then, the crisis will continue to plague Tribal communities, leaving countless families with unimaginable pain and loss.
Related Federal Cases
- Justice Fails Indigenous Communities: MMIP Crisis Unabated · Alaska
- Utah Justice Department Cracks Down on MMIW Crisis · Alaska
- Holder’s Tribal Justice Promise Falls Flat · Alaska
- $113 Million Grant Awarded to Improve Public Safety in Native Communities · New Mexico
- MMIP Crisis Deepens: DOJ Stepped Up Efforts to Tackle Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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