Federal, state, local and tribal leaders in Michigan recently announced a missing and murdered indigenous persons pilot project.
“Given that there are 12 tribal communities in Michigan, and many more tribal members living throughout the state, we adopted a pilot-program approach to help identify issues and establish initial response plans that can be shared with communities throughout the state,” said U.S. Andrew Birge.
U.S Attorney Matthew Schneider said everyone involved in the initiative was “embracing the effort and progressing in an open and collaborative fashion.
“Everyone recognizes the sensitivity and importance of these cases and realizes that, in Michigan in particular, multiple agencies and jurisdictions must work together.”
Others joining in the announcement included: Bryan Newland, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community; Dr. Aaron Payment, tribal chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians; Timothy Waters, special agent in charge of the Detroit Field Division of the FBI; Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police; Matthew Saxton, executive director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association; Robert Stevenson, executive director of Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police; officials with the US. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Members of the pilot project began meeting in late October, taking the first steps toward establishing the first tribal community response plans for missing indigenous persons cases.
The plans will improve the handling of emergent missing person cases by outlining how tribal governments, law enforcement, and other partners can best work together to respond to such cases. The plans address four core components of a proper response to a missing persons case — law enforcement, victim services, community outreach and public communications.
Newland said the project was focused on “protecting women and vulnerable people in our communities.
“For too long,” he said, “we have allowed the problem of violence against Indian women and vulnerable people to fester. This initiative will start the healing process and ensure that our people receive the protections they deserve.”
“In 2016, according to the CDC, homicide was the third leading cause of death for Native women and girls between the ages 1-19 and sixth leading cause of death for ages 20-44, according to Payment.
“Time is of essence as the first 72 hours after an individual goes missing are the most crucial according to National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center,” he said.
Sexton called the initiative “a great way to help identify and organize the resources and capabilities of our law enforcement agencies and their capabilities throughout the State of Michigan.”
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