AG Nessel Announces Task Force on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People

LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday the formation of the Task Force on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) to address the high rates of violence against Indigenous people in the state of Michigan.

This interagency collaboration brings together tribal, federal, and state and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and human service professionals to identify, develop, and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis.

“The MMIP Task Force marks an essential first step in combating abuse and violence against Indigenous people in Michigan,” said Attorney General Nessel. “By prosecuting and addressing the root causes of these crimes, working directly with this broad coalition of MMIP task force members, we can build safer communities and pave the way for justice for the families and victims affected by this crisis. I look forward to working alongside tribal leaders and state, federal and nonprofit partners to create real and systemic change for Michigan’s indigenous population.”

Studies indicate that a significant majority, nearly 85%, of Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime. The MMIP Task Force will focus on improving the investigation and prosecution of MMIP cases, closing gaps in law enforcement systems and identifying best practices. By examining the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous individuals, particularly women, children and Two-Spirit people, the Working Group aims to develop a holistic, victim-centred and culturally respectful approach to prevention, response and support.

The Attorney General’s Department held the first MMIP Task Force meeting in September 2024, where tribal leaders, state and federal agencies, and advocacy groups discussed raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing Michigan-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis. The next meeting of the MMIP task force will take place in December 2024.

To gather information and connect with MMIP victims, the Attorney General has established a tip line. This advice is in addition to federal and tribal resources that have been put in place, including tribal community response plans that many of Michigan’s tribes have adopted. People with information about missing or murdered Native Americans in Michigan can now call 517-284-0008 in addition to other available resources.

“I am grateful to Attorney General Nessel for her leadership in addressing the persistently high levels of violence that tribal communities have endured for generations.” U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten said. “We are 100 percent committed to working with our federal, state, local, tribal and other partners to quickly investigate these cases and ensure justice.”

“The Michigan State Police sincerely appreciates the Attorney General’s work to bring much-needed attention to the high rates of violence against Native Americans in Michigan,” Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police said. “MSP supports the efforts of the MMIP Task Force and is fully committed to supporting victims and working with our law enforcement partners to improve collaboration and communication in investigating these cases.”

“The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to join forces with Attorney General Nessel, other Michigan tribal nations, and the rest of the MMIP Task Force to work collaboratively on awareness, prevention, response and support for missing or murdered Indigenous people,” he said. said Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. “Too many of our sisters and brothers live with the devastation of losing a loved one prematurely to violence. We hope that this new collaboration will build on our previous efforts to make a significant difference and promote.”

“My hope is that this task force will help develop and support such a robust, multi-jurisdictional response to the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people that it can be felt by communities across Indian Country and that real change happens to make our people feel safer, more protected and more listened to, and that we not only find justice for victims, but achieve a reduction in the number of future victims by focusing on prevention,” said James Williams, Jr., tribal chairman of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Indians Lake Superior Chippewa.

“The Gun Lake Tribe appreciates the collaboration with Michigan Attorney General Nessel and her office on the formation of the MMIP Task Force,” Gun Lake Tribal Council Member Virginia Sprague-Vanderband said. “This grassroots cause, which started as MMIW and has transformed from a focus solely on women to people, is important to our tribal community. In a community focused on the well-being and protection of all our citizens, we knew we had to participate. Our tribe also has an internal task force focused on policies and procedures that protect these rights from the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Domestic Violence, and MMIP. It is an honor to have three Gun Lake Tribal leaders on this statewide task force: Jodie Palmer, Tribal Council Vice Chair, Liz Cook, General Counsel, and myself, Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, Tribal Council. We are excited to be a part of this effort and applaud the state’s commitment to this movement.”

“We are grateful that Attorney General Nessel is leading this new effort to address the heartbreaking issue of violence affecting Indigenous people,” said Dorie Rios, president of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. “For too long this issue has been largely ignored by local, state and federal law enforcement officials, leaving tribal members to feel like second-class citizens. This task force will help change a long-overlooked human rights issue.”

“As someone who has worked as a social worker in tribal governments here in Michigan and across the country, I have seen firsthand the need for increased attention to reducing the high rates of violence in Indigenous communities,” Sault Ste. Mary Tribe of Chippewa Indian Chairman Austin Lowes he said. “I applaud Attorney General Nessel for working to resolve this issue and look forward to working with the MMIP Task Force to help improve coordination and build better relationships between our tribe and state and federal law enforcement agencies .”