AG Nessel launches Task Force on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force (MMIP), focused on addressing the high rates of violence against Indigenous people across the state.

This collaboration is multi-agency, bringing together tribal, federal, state and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates and human services specialists working together to identify, develop and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis.

To gather information and connect with MMIP victims, the Attorney General has established a tip line. Anyone with information about missing or murdered Native Americans in Michigan can call 517-284-0008 in addition to other available resources.

The tip line is in addition to federal and tribal resources already in place, including tribal community response plans that many of Michigan’s tribes have already adopted.

“The MMIP Task Force marks a critical 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.”

According to several studies, a significant majority – almost 85% – of indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime. The focus of the MMIP will be on improving the investigation and prosecution of these cases, reducing gaps in law enforcement systems and identifying best practices.

The task force aims to develop a “holistic, victim-centred and culturally respectful approach to prevention, response and support” by examining the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous individuals, particularly women, children and Two-Spirit people .

Leaders from across the state shared their hopes for the task force.

“My hope is that this task force will help develop and support a multi-jurisdictional response to the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples that is so robust 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 the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten. “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 Attorney General’s Department held the first MMIP task force meeting in September, where they discussed raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing state-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis. The next meeting of the MMIP task force will take place in December.

“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,” Nessel said.

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