Missing Indigenous women: Activists Spur a reckoning

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2022/0606/Missing-Indigenous-women-Activists-spur-

a-reckoning- This resource describes the issue of “Missing and Murdered Indigenous

Peoples” by using the story of Ms. Charles-Newton, who was a survivor twenty-years

ago. Describing her ordeal, Charles-Newton constantly claimed that no one came

looking for her because the police assured her parents that everything was okay while

they did nothing. She is surprised that this experience is still dominant today as little

attention to the stories of missing Native women. A first-hand account of a survivor will

be highly beneficial for this research.

The Long American History of “Missing White Woman Syndrome

https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-long-american-history-of-missing-white-

woman-syndrome - Using the story of Gabby Petito, this resource discusses the

undeniable fact that there’s something about the missing young, beautiful white woman

that has a lot of symbolic weight in America. This article uses the term “White Woman

Syndrome” to discuss why murdered and missing indigenous people are ignored. The

writer further explains why people are angry about the media attention the case of

Gabby Petito got, while there are so many missing people of color that are completely ignored.

As activists mourn missing and murdered Indigenous women, hopes follow new developments

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/05/05/as-activists-mourn-missing-and-murdered-

indigenous-women-hopes-follow-new-developments/- We cannot overemphasize the

role of activists in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Movement. This article

by Brian Bull discussed the role of Oregon Representative Tawna Sanchez and Turtle

Mountain Chippewa, Cedar Wilkie Gillette. These two activists are important based on

their tremendous role in the publicity and handling of Missing and Murdered Indigenous

People cases in America.

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women

https://www.csvanw.org/ CSVANW - Coalition to STOP Violence Against Women - The site goes into

details of the statistics as to the dangers for which Native American women and girls go

through according to the data that is provided. They go on to provide to specifics as to

what comes to being the main causes of missing and murdered Indigenous women and

girls, and as to what the possibilities are in the most occurrences within the United States.

MMIW. Native Womens Wilderness

Native Womens Wilderness - https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/

The organization tackles issues dealing with the awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women throughout the states, bringing a multitude of individuals together to address the issue in order to expose the lack of

communication and jurisdictional situations between state, local, federal, and tribal law

enforcement. The website provides a statistical overview of the issue of missing and

murdered Indigenous women and girls, as well as addressing policies that have been

established that either tackle the bigger picture or have come to make things a bit situational over time.

Native Hope

Native Hope -https://www.nativehope.org/

The website addresses the ongoing issues pertaining to the discussion of

missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and what efforts are being made to

tackle these issues. Some of the issues that come to transpire go along the lines of the

issues of the relevancy of Native Americans within the media, the inclusion of the Indian

Relocation Act, and so forth.

The True Story Behind Disney’s Pocahontas https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-true-story-behind-disneys-pocahontas

The True Story Behind Disney’s Pocahontas — The Indigenous Foundation – This

resource is about the true story of Pocahontas. Contrary to Disney’s portrayal of this

well-known ‘family,’ the true story of Pocahontas is not one of romance, but a tragedy.

Pocahontas was one of the first real-life Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Oliphant v. Suquamish Tribe (1978)

https://edspace.american.edu/mmiwlawsandlegacies/jubilee/ - This source explains the

Case of OLIPHANT V. SUQUAMISH TRIBE (1978). This case is important to examine

because it is a major contributing factor in the case of missing and murdered indigenous

women. This case ruled that the tribal courts couldn’t charge non-native people in the

tribal courts meaning that if an individual commits a crime on their land they have no

legal jurisdiction to prosecute the individual for the crime.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers Announces Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Liaison

https://ago.nebraska.gov/news/attorney-general-mike-hilgers-announces-missing-and-

murdered-indigenous-persons-liaison - This source is a news article from Nebraska

Attorney General Mike Hilgers website. This article announces his selection of Grace

Johnson, a member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe, to be his Missing and Murdered

Indigenous Persons liaison. According to the source, Johnson will coordinate with local,

state, tribal, and federal entities in reporting and investigating missing and murdered

indigenous persons. This is a very important step towards finding solutions to this issue

in the state of Nebraska.

Not Invisible Act Commission Transmits Recommendations to Federal

Government to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human

Trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/not-invisible-act-commission-transmits-

recommendations-federal-government-address-missing - This source comes from the

Department of Justice and is about the Not Invisible Act Commission. The NIAC is a

commission created in 2020 after the adoption of the Not Invisible Act by Congress. The

Commission consists of members of law enforcement as well as tribal leaders who

provide recommendations to the federal government about changes that can be

implemented to reduce the rate of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Peoples. While it

is too early to tell, the NIAC may be instrumental in bringing awareness to Missing and

Murdered Indigenous Peoples, as well as providing solutions for the epidemic.

New Mexico pulls plug on missing and murdered Indigenous people task force

https://nmindepth.com/2023/new-mexico-pulls-plug-on-missing-and-murdered-

indigenous-people-task-force/ - New Mexico's task force on missing and murdered

Indigenous people, created by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, quietly ended without

public notice. The group, inactive since May, faced internal strife over the appointment

of James Mountain to lead the Indian Affairs Department. Despite achieving its

objectives, the task force was funded and convened for a year afterward. Advocates

question the state's commitment to addressing the crisis.

Colorado Launches Online Tool To Track Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

https://thehilltoponline.com/2023/11/13/colorado-launches-online-tool-to-track-missing-

and-murdered-indigenous-people/ -The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the

Division of Criminal Justice launched the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives

Dashboard to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. This

online tool aims to raise awareness, provide resources, and tell the stories of missing

Indigenous individuals who face a higher risk of violence.

Free Resources for Native, Indigenous, and Tribal Communities

https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/resources-for-native-

indigenous-tribal-communities.pdf - This document provides free resources for Native,

Indigenous, and Tribal Communities, provided by the National Center for Missing &

Exploited Children. The Investigative Checklists and Team Adam programs demonstrate

the organization's commitment to providing practical resources and on-site assistance

for law enforcement and investigators in cases involving missing children, particularly within tribal contexts.

Native American Rights Fund

Home - Native American Rights Fund (narf.org) - This website can provide individuals

with news of recent happenings that have to do with Native Americans and the legal

system. Additionally, the website can provide legal aid for those interested. Lastly, this

website can give users an opportunity to look at the history of court rulings or laws that

have to do with Native Americans, reservations, tribal courts, etc.

Native American Law Guide: Federal Inian Law & Tribal Law Materials

https://libguides.law.ucla.edu/nativeamerican- This website gives users information on

how Federal Indian Law works, and which laws apply to Native Americans. A litany of

books is listed for users that are worth reading. Directories and organizations are also

given. This website also provides links to starter guides, to help individuals who want to

start learning about how Indian Law works.

Where’s the Data? Lack of Media Coverage Magnifies the Ongoing Effects of

Colonialism on Indigenous Communities Looking for Answers

https://jgrj.law.uiowa.edu/about-us/blog/wheres-the-data-lack-of-media-coverage-

magnifies-the-ongoing-effects-of-colonialism-on-indigenous-communities-looking-for-

answers - This source discusses the effects that colonialism has played on the MMIW

movement. It details the legal steps taken to help create safe spaces for indigenous

communities. It also provides reasons why widespread news coverage is beneficial for

the movement. Effective news coverage alerts more people of the issue affecting so

many Native Americans.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: The Colonizing Nature of Law

https://lawblogs.uc.edu/ihrlr/2021/10/13/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-the-

colonizing-nature-of-law/ - This source discusses the history of sex trafficking,

specifically its effects on indigenous peoples. It explains why indigenous communities

are already vulnerable and how this makes them at a higher rate for trafficking. This

source also discusses the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and how it plays a role

in the fight against indigenous trafficking.

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

https://www.niwrc.org/restoration-magazine/february-2020/mmiw-update-missing-and-

murdered-indigenous-women-and-girls -This source discusses which legal protections

have failed for the MMIW movement. It also provides a list of the legal acts already in

place - and the ones that are in process. This source also brings to attention the fact

that no bills were passed by the Senate to address the MMIW movement.

Spotty data and media bias delay justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people

https://theconversation.com/spotty-data-and-media-bias-delay-justice-for-missing-and-

murdered-indigenous-people-168919 - This website relates the lack of media coverage

to the Colonialism that occurred in our country with Native Americans in our country.

This website also does a great job at showing different sources, and even talking about

the early stages of colonization in the United States and how it still plays a vital role in

the United States in today’s society.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis

Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis | Indian Affairs (bia.gov) - This resource

gives data along with case studies taken as early as 2016, this source explains why the

need for focused data is important.

Lack of awareness, data hinders cases of missing and murdered Native American

women, study finds Lack of awareness, data hinders cases of missing and murdered Native American

women, study finds (nbcnews.com) - This article highlights the shortcomings of law

enforcement and the poor or nonexistent communication with families, and survivors

and the lack of cases being brought to justice. This website also gives multiple case

studies on previous cases looked at by law enforcement.

Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center

https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/projects/mmip-report/ - This website goes into statistics

covering missing and murdered Indigenous people within Wyoming. This report helped

inform us on trends and collect some data to share for the project.

The Crime Wire

https://thecrimewire.com/true-crime/Missing-Janice-Marie-Hannigan - This website goes

into detail about the case of missing woman Janice Hannigan from the Yakama Nation

who went missing in 1970 at the age of 16. On December 21 she was admitted to a

local hospital with bruising to the head and chest. She was later released from the

hospital and never seen again.

National Human Trafficking & Disabilities Working Group

National Human Trafficking & Disabilities Working Group - IOFA.org – Resources for

Special Needs Survivors to find support groups and other aids to recover from the

trauma of trafficking. There’s also information for the support persons on how to

recognize and help Special Needs victims.

2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Trafficking in Persons Report 2023 (state.gov) ; 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report -

United States Department of State – There are multiple links to US government

resources and information about international trafficking. It also states who the US is

partnering with to address human trafficking, as well as some of the historical

background information on it.

Tribal Insights Brief. Human & Sex Trafficking: Trends and Responses across Indian Country

TraffickingBrief.pdf (ncai.org) – This site lists tribal data, gives US national and UN

international definitions of what human trafficking is, and it lists factors that make

Indigenous people more susceptible. The site also addresses current preventative

efforts in educating people about human trafficking for within Indigenous communities.

The Link Between Extractive Industries and Sex Trafficking

272964.pdf (state.gov) – This site gives information on the links between Extractive

Industries (like fossil fuels) and the trafficking of Native American people. Addresses

issues that accompany those industries like man camps and the lawlessness that can

occur in them.

Individuals with Disabilities May Face Increased Risk of Human Trafficking

Individuals with Disabilities May Face Increased Risk of Human Trafficking - Polaris

(polarisproject.org) – information concerning Special Needs/Disabled Individuals –

susceptibilities, barriers, and resources.

Human Trafficking of Youth with Disabilities

Human Trafficking of Youth with Disabilities - Center for Reaching Victims– training

resources created by multiple agencies focused on human trafficking of and helping

those with disabilities that are victims.

U.S. Department of Justice: Data & Research https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/

Tribal Justice and Safety | Data & Research – US Department of Justice data on

trafficking and links to other resources.

Kaylee Thompson

Missing and murdered indigenous women & girls: A Snapshot of data from 71

urban cities in the United States. https://rb.gy/6wnjpp - This resource is essential

because the study that was conducted looked at 71 cities and found that Omaha is in

the top 10 for most murdered and missing indigenous peoples. Looking at the 29 states

they surveyed, Nebraska is also in the top 10 for missing indigenous peoples.

LB154 Report: Prevalence of Missing Native American Women and Children in

Nebraska; Barriers to Reporting and Investigating; and Opportunities for

Partnerships https://rb.gy/1legp4 - This resource is also local to Nebraska and

promotes solutions to help MMIP in Nebraska. This resource also has themes

associated with barriers to reporting and investigating missing Native American women

and children in different tribes in the Nebraska area.

Missing Native American Persons: Nebraska Study Details Scope of Problem,

Urges Culturally Sensitive Research and Better Access to Justice:

https://rb.gy/7kzztr - This resource is crucial because it is locally based in Nebraska.

There are numerous headers throughout this article that give information as to why

there are so many high cases. For example, there is a “Foster Care Is a Factor” header,

and a “Barriers to Reporting and Investigating” header.

Not Our Native Daughters: A National MMIW Organization

https://www.notournativedaughters.org/ - This resource is a non-profit organization for

MMIW. The organization’s goal is to end trafficking of Indigenous people through

education of the injustices and advocation of policy change.

End inequalities, recognize abuses, UN chief says on International Day of Indigenous Peoples

https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097382 - This resource refers to how the United

Nations Chief in 2019 brought awareness to the disparities faced by Indigenous people

globally during Indigenous people’s day the 8th of August. UN news further discusses

heinous legacy of discrimination.

How prejudice affects official search for missing Indigenous women, other women of color

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-prejudice-affects-official-search-for-missing-

indigenous-women-other-women-of-color - This resource is an article that identifies

some aspects of the reasoning behind why indigenous women and girls are missing and

murdered at higher rates. It identifies that jurisdiction and stereotypes are factors in

reasoning. Some of the stereotypes are alcohol/drug abuse, homelessness, and the

dehumanization of indigenous women.   

Missing and Murdered: Understanding Why Indigenous Women are Murdered and

go Missing at Higher Rates than Other Populations

https://www.thebarkumd.com/voices/2021/11/3/missing-and-murdered-understanding-

why-indigenous-women-are-murdered-and-go-missing-at-higher-rates-than-other-

populations - Amna Nawaz is interviewed on her research into the fact that Indigenous

women are murdered ten times more than the national average. Amna discussed some

of the families' reports of family members attempting to report their family members

missing. Prejudices and stereotypes come into play as officers do not start with trauma-

informed care. Their first instinct is to accuse the missing or murdered women of a

crime or abuse of a substance.  

Urban Indian Health Institute: Resources for Programs Serving Native Survivors of Violence

https://www.uihi.org/ - Urban Indian Health Institute: UIHI is a division of the Seattle

Indian Health Board. They released a significant report in 2018 that explored the issue

of MMIWG in selected cities across the United States. Their research and data reports

provide valuable insights into the depth of the crisis.

U.S. Department of Justice: 2022 Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Persons: Age 21 and Under

https://www.ojp.gov/library/publications/2022-missing-american-indian-and-alaska-

native-persons-age-21-and-under - Office of Justice Programs: The Office of Justice

Programs (OJP), provides access to a document titled "2022 Missing American Indian

and Alaska Native Persons Age 21 and Under." This resource offers statistics and

insights regarding the issue of missing Indigenous individuals 21 years old and younger

in the United States.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/ - National Missing and Unidentified Persons System: NamUs

is a national resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases.

The site publishes monthly trend data on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) missing person cases.