GRAND RAPIDS – The grim reality for Indigenous communities in Michigan remains stark: disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered persons. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten, alongside the Department of Justice, marked May 5th as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day, a somber acknowledgement of ongoing failures to protect vulnerable populations.
“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,” stated U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “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 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, we are committed to working with our federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to swiftly investigate these cases and secure justice.” But commitments ring hollow without concrete results, and the sheer number of cold cases continues to mount.
Totten participated in the 2024 March for MMIP at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, a demonstration organized by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), Pokagon, and Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band, alongside Native and non-Native advocates. The event served as a raw display of grief and frustration, a demand for action beyond symbolic gestures. The problem isn’t a lack of awareness; it’s a systemic failure to prioritize these cases, often relegated to the shadows of larger investigations.
The DOJ has appointed Joel Postma as MMIP Coordinator for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan (covering 11 Tribes within the Western District). Postma’s role focuses on outreach, coordinating law enforcement protocols, providing training, and improving data collection. While a step in the right direction, critics argue that a single coordinator is a paltry resource given the scope of the crisis. The lack of dedicated funding and specialized training for investigators remains a significant hurdle.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland echoed Totten’s sentiments, acknowledging the “persistently high levels of violence” endured by Tribal communities. “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,” Garland stated. “Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” But words aren’t enough; the DOJ needs to demonstrate a tangible shift in priorities and resource allocation.
FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed the bureau’s commitment to working with law enforcement partners, while DEA Administrator Anne Milgram highlighted the agency’s focus on drug-related violence impacting Tribal communities. The interconnectedness of drug trafficking, violence, and the MMIP crisis is well-documented, but addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, not fragmented efforts. Last July, the DOJ launched the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, placing 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated areas. Whether this program will translate into meaningful progress remains to be seen, but for the families left behind, time is running out.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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