GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – The grim reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) continues to plague Michigan, with the U.S. Department of Justice upping its game to address the crisis.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, flanked by federal and Tribal partners, attended a May 5th MMIP Awareness Day event in Grand Rapids, vowing to strengthen efforts to bring justice to victims’ families.
“Today is a day of reflection and commitment as we remember the all-too-many victims of violence in our Tribal communities and the families and friends who are affected,” Totten said. “The Justice Department’s work to address the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms to strengthening the federal response to missing or murdered indigenous people.”
In a show of solidarity, Totten participated in the 2024 March for MMIP at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, joining forces with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Pokagon, and Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi.
As part of its renewed commitment, the U.S. Department of Justice appointed Joel Postma as the MMIP Coordinator for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan. Postma will conduct outreach with Tribal communities, coordinate with law enforcement, and promote improved data collection and analysis.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland echoed Totten’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations,” Garland said.
The FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies have pledged their support, with FBI Director Christopher Wray vowing to prioritize investigations into MMIW cases and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram committing to keeping Tribal communities safe from deadly drugs.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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