Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) by stating, “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed the FBI's commitment to addressing the violence affecting Tribal communities, stating, “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reiterated the agency's dedication to protecting all communities from deadly drugs, stating, “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime.”
The Justice Department's efforts to prioritize MMIP cases were highlighted, with the establishment of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which places attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to address and combat the issues of MMIP.
The Department's response to the Not Invisible Act Commission's recommendations on combating the MMIP crisis was noted, with a focus on improving coordination, funding, operations, research, and communication to better address the crisis.
In addressing violent crime and the fentanyl crisis in Indian Country, federal law enforcement components have ramped up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners. Initiatives such as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska's investigation into a transnational organized crime ring and the FBI's Operation Not Forgotten have demonstrated progress in combating public safety threats and drug trafficking in vulnerable communities.
The Department has allocated significant funding to enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses in Tribal communities, aiming to improve the handling of child abuse cases, combat domestic and sexual violence, support Tribal youth programs, and strengthen victim services.
In addition to enforcement efforts, the Justice Department is focused on supporting education and awareness efforts, as well as prevention, treatment, and recovery, including providing training sessions for Tribal law enforcement on addressing fentanyl poisoning.
The article provides access to additional information about the Justice Department's efforts to address the MMIP crisis on the Tribal Safety and Justice website.