North Dakota Feds Vow Renewed Push on Missing Indigenous Cases

WASHINGTON – While politicians offer platitudes, the grim reality of missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) persists. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, alongside the Justice Department, marked May 5th as National MMIP Awareness Day, but officials are promising more than just recognition – they’re vowing a renewed focus on a crisis that has plagued Tribal communities for generations.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland minced no words, acknowledging the “persistently high levels of violence” endured by Native American and Alaska Native communities, particularly women and girls. “There is still so much more to do,” Garland stated, emphasizing the need for concrete action and true partnership with Tribal nations. His remarks, available here, signal a push to move beyond awareness and into tangible results.

United States Attorney Schneider for the District of North Dakota echoed this sentiment, stating their office “eagerly embraces its role” in both preventing and responding to MMIP cases. “One missing person case is too many,” Schneider asserted, adding that the office remains focused on increasing public safety in Indian country. Fine words, but will they translate to boots on the ground and real investigations?

The Justice Department has attempted to back up rhetoric with resources, launching the MMIP Regional Outreach Program last July. The program places ten attorneys and coordinators across five regions – Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast – to bolster prevention and response efforts. This initiative stems from a July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices prioritizing public safety in Indian country, and Executive Order 14053, aimed at improving criminal justice for Native Americans.

In North Dakota, the US Attorney’s Office is gearing up for its third annual Savanna’s Act meetings in June, bringing together state, local, and Tribal officials. These meetings aim to reinforce existing partnerships and coordinate responses to recent MMIP cases. Beyond meetings, the office’s Law Enforcement Coordinator has been actively securing resources, including air support from the United States Air Force, to aid in search efforts. In 2023, the office reportedly provided assistance in 46 missing person cases, resolving 45 of them – a statistic that, while positive, doesn’t address the underlying systemic issues.

The effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen. While the Justice Department and the US Attorney’s Office for North Dakota are signaling a commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis, the true measure of success will be in the number of cases solved, the justice delivered to victims and their families, and the long-term impact on the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this developing situation and hold officials accountable.