Fronk, who works as the emergency management coordinator for his tribe, said law enforcement agencies do not treat missing teenage girls as a priority. But as he was offering to lend his expertise to the task force, the government contractor running the Operation Lady Justice sessions silenced him. "The program that we're using will automatically mute the line after the three-minute mark," said Sweeney, who herself got disconnected during the session, according to a another federal official on the call. Later on in the session, Roger Smith, a council member from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, also got automatically silenced as he called on Operation Lady Justice to address gaps in jurisdiction. He too has been personally impacted by the crisis of the missing and murdered in Indian Country. "I have nearly 20 years in law enforcement," said Smith, who was at the White House last November when Trump signed the executive order establishing the task force. "I also sit on the Minnesota governor's task force on MMIW." "I look at Fond du Lac as [having] good relationships with the different state agencies," Smith said. "But through COVID, it really shines the light that we still need some work to do." "There are some counties in Minnesota that do not cooperate with tribal law enforcement," he continued. "It makes policing difficult."Heartbreaking: Monte Fronk (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) lost his teenage daughter to trafficking in #Minnesota. Thankfully she made it back home. But the software for the Operation Lady Justice listening session automatically cut his comments off at the 3-minute mark. #MMIW #MMIWG
— indianz.com (@indianz) June 2, 2020
Smith was the only elected tribal leader who was able to voice comments during the entire session. At the beginning of the call, the audio went blank but federal officials kept talking, unaware that no one could hear their remarks. Once people were able to reconnect, they found the audio extremely choppy. Participants were then instructed to use their phones to dial in and listen. The audio eventually improved -- about halfway through the 90-minute mark. "Good use of $240k!" one Native woman advocate told Indianz.Com, in reference to a federal contract awarded to Saxman One, LLC, earlier this year to provide "logistical support" for the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, according to documents on GovTribe.Com, a government contracting site. 'Unbelievable," added the advocate, who was silenced during the first listening session on May 27 and was unable to offer any comments due to technical difficulties.Officials expressed gratitude to Monte Frank for sharing his family's story. Operation Lady Justice listening sessions are being run by SaxmanOne, an Alaska Native corporate subsidiary with millions of dollars in federal contracts. @USIndianAffairs @ASIndianAffairs #MMIW #MMIWG
— indianz.com (@indianz) June 2, 2020
Since November 2019, when the task force was announced, Saxman One has been awarded more than $3.1 million in contract awards by the Department of Justice, according to GovTribe.Com. A contract worth up to $20 million, plus another worth $3 million, were awarded in 2019, according to the site. Saxman One is owned by Cape Fox Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation based in southeast Alaska. The firm has at least one more logistical task on its hands -- the fourth and final Operation Lady Justice listening session on Wednesday afternoon. Aware of the repeated problems with the calls, Saxman One on Wednesday morning via email announced "Important changes Operation Lady Justice Listening Session." All participants must use their phone lines to listen to the final teleconference despite spotty cellular coverage in many parts of Indian Country. Several Native women have cited lack of phone service as a hindrance to addressing the crisis of the missing and murdered.Major technical difficulties AGAIN with the Operation Lady Justice listening session. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney @ASIndianAffairs began speaking but everyone's audio got cut off. #MMIW #MMIWG #MMIP @USIndianAffairs
— indianz.com (@indianz) June 2, 2020
According to Trump's executive order, Operation Lady Justice is supposed to deliver an initial report about its efforts in November, around the time of the 2020 presidential election. As part of the process, the task force intends to hold at least one in-person session in Montana in July. The task force is also accepting written comments through OperationLadyJustice@usdoj.gov. None of the federal officials have indicated whether there is a deadline for submissions.This is the 3rd Operation Lady Justice listening session, held via teleconference due to #COVID19. https://t.co/0yYFAWhPO9 playlist from first two sessions on SoundCloud:https://t.co/SaXVtVNDoD#MMIW #MMIWG #MMIP #Coronavirus
— indianz.com (@indianz) June 2, 2020
'Incompetence': Trump administration warns of delayed #COVID19 relief for tribes (June 2, 2020)
United South and Eastern Tribes: Unrest exposes America's original sin against Indigenous peoples (June 2, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: Northern Cheyenne cancels pow wows, rodeos due to #Coronavirus (June 2, 2020)
Cronkite News: Navajo Nation sees spike in #COVID19 cases on reservation (June 2, 2020)
Elizabeth Cook-Lynn: Are women sacred? Is the Earth sacred? (June 2, 2020)
Doug George-Kanentiio: On the American uprising of 2020 (June 1, 2020)
Cronkite News: Navajo Nation #COVID19 curve flattens as leaders fear post-holiday spike in cases (June 1, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: Navajo would use #CARESAct money to create water system (June 1, 2020)
Native Sun News Today Editorial: It is time to start preparing for the upcoming elections (June 1, 2020)
'They're killing us': Urban Indian community caught at center of police brutality firestorm (May 29, 2020)
'Absolutely maddening': Trump administration falters on #COVID19 relief promised to tribes (May 29, 2020)
'Am I cutting out again?': Missing and murdered task force off to shaky start amid #COVID19 challenges (May 28, 2020)
#MMIW: Red symbolizes a call for attention (May 28, 2020)
COVID-19 hinders accurate Census count in Indian Country (May 27, 2020)
'We are thrilled': Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hails victory for sovereignty (May 27, 2020)
'Bring Kozee home': Vigil held for Native woman murdered on Winnebago Reservation (May 26, 2020)
'We must remain diligent and prepared': Coronavirus continues to take heavy toll on tribes (May 26, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: A consolation prize amid the #COVID19 pandemic (May 26, 2020)
Cronkite News: Treasury formula for #COVID19 funding shortchanges some tribes (May 26, 2020)
'Callous and dangerous': Tribes see #COVID19 spitting incidents amid rise in cases (May 25, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation makes strategic plan to reopen amid #COVID19 (May 25, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: Prairie Edge adapts during #COVID19 pandemic (May 25, 2020)
Clara Caufield: Going to the clouds to learn the Cheyenne language (May 25, 2020)
YES! Magazine: Gardening advice from Indigenous food growers (May 25, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: #COVID19 checkpoints on reservations to remain (May 22, 2020)
ProPublica: Former Trump aide provided faulty masks to Indian Health Service (May 22, 2020)
Elizabeth Cook-Lynn: Mass burials teach same lessons in era of #Coronavirua (May 22, 2020)
Republican governor takes #Coronavirus checkpoints to Trump (May 21, 2020)
On South Dakota's Sioux reservations, checkpoints save lives (May 21, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: Northern Cheyenne warriors challenge tribal government (May 21, 2020)
Cronkite News: Powwows move online to keep Indigenous communities together amid #Coronavirus (May 21, 2020)
Kaiser Health News: How a company misappropriated Native culture to sell health insurance (May 21, 2020)
Native Sun News Today Editorial: Looking ahead to the new normal amid #COVID19 (May 21, 2020)
'You're gonna have a lot of trouble': Judge trashes Trump over changes in tribal homelands policy (May 20, 2020)
'You're gonna have a lot of trouble': Judge trashes Trump over changes in tribal homelands policy (May 20, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: Tribal lawsuits prompt release of #COVID19 money (May 20, 2020)
'Frustrating': Indian Country forced to wait again for coronavirus relief (May 19, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: A consolation prize amid the #COVID19 pandemic (May 19, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: The People's House can show up during #COVID19 pandemic (May 19, 2020)
Elizabeth Cook-Lynn: State power runs amok during #Coronavirus crisis (May 19, 2020)
'Arbitrary and capricious': Study casts doubt on Trump administration's COVID-19 payments to tribes (May 18, 2020)
Native Sun News Today: #Coronavirus checkpoints on reservations point of discussion (May 18, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: Essential #COVID19 relief dollars finally come to Indian Country (May 18, 2020)
Anunkasan Was'te: South Dakota flattened the #Coronavirus curve in spite of our governor (May 18, 2020)
Trump administration's coronavirus efforts in Indian Country plagued by lack of accurate data (May 14, 2020)
Alexander Mallory: Tribes have full legal authority to use checkpoints to safeguard health (May 13, 2020)
Ronson Chee: COVID-19 pandemic exposes long-standing issues on Navajo Nation (May 13, 2020)
Sean McCabe: How should Native Nations spend COVID-19 funds? (May 13, 2020)
'It’s really scary for us': Oglala Sioux Tribe orders lockdown after COVID-19 hits reservation (May 12, 2020)
'We waited for weeks': Tribal governments in line for additional coronavirus relief (May 12, 2020)
Clara Caufield: Montana to begin phased 're-opening' amid #COVID19 pandemic (May 12, 2020)
'I'm protecting my people': Tribal citizens defend coronavirus checkpoints amid threat from state (May 11, 2020)
Supreme Court takes up sovereignty case amid coronavirus crisis in Indian Country (May 11, 2020)
Marcella LeBeau: Vulnerable Native Americans need protection from COVID-19 (May 11, 2020)
Tim Giago: Overcoming the ignorance of South Dakota's governors (May 11, 2020)
Trump's transparency? Coronavirus relief formula subject of intense discussion in Indian Country (May 8, 2020)
Native American communities hit hard by COVID-19 (May 8, 2020)
Coronavirus relief funds finally going out to Indian Country after long wait (May 7, 2020)
Donovan White: Respect Native people, Native nations, and Indian sovereignty (May 7, 2020)
'A slap in the face for Indian Country': Tribes decry Trump administration's delay in $8 billion in coronavirus relief (May 6, 2020)
President of Oglala Sioux Tribe faces legal crisis amid coronavirus pandemic (May 6, 2020)
Cronkite News: Tribal pageant winner ships homemade masks across Indian Country (May 6, 2020)
Trump heads to Native American roundtable amid heat on $8 billion in #Coronavirus relief (May 5, 2020)
'We are a forgotten people': Native candidate struggles to be heard amid #COVID19 pandemic (May 4, 2020)
President of Oglala Sioux Tribe admits arrest during #Coronavirus crisis (May 4, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: Even during social distancing, Cherokee culture connects us (May 4, 2020)
Native Sun News Today Editorial: 'Katy Bar the Door!' (May 4, 2020)
'We need to do more for our tribes': $8 billion in coronavirus relief missing in action (April 30, 2020)
'He got demoted': Trump administration moves Indian Country official out of White House (April 29, 2020)
(April 28, 2020)
Social Distance Powwow founders apologize for 'Smoke Signals' broadcast with unexpected guest (April 27, 2020)
Tim Giago: Will things ever be the same? (April 27, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: Helping Cherokee small businesses survive (April 27, 2020)
Donovan White: Standing up for Native Americans and Native American jobs (April 27, 2020)
Robert Starbard: Fear and Hope - The view From Hoonah, Alaska (April 27, 2020)
Tribes sue Trump administration after being excluded from #Coronavirus relief program (April 27, 2020)
Cronkite News: Basketball star Michelle Tom helps her people fight #Coronavirus (April 27, 2020)
Montana Free Press: Court blocks Keystone XL Pipeline water crossings (April 27, 2020)
'Finally': Tribal gaming in line for coronavirus relief amid stiff competition for resources (April 24, 2020)
Indian Country set for historic showdown in fight for $8 billion in COVID-19 relief (April 23, 2020)
Oregon tribes' primary engines – casinos – stalled by COVID-19 (April 23, 2020)
Indian Country awaits decision on $8 billion in coronavirus relief money (April 21, 2020)
NABI cancellation means much more to Native American community than just loss of basketball (April 21, 2020)
'Broken promises': Tribes decry leak of private data from $8 billion coronavirus relief fund (April 20, 2020)
Alaska Native corporations outpace tribes in race for $8 billion in coronavirus relief (April 17, 2020)
'A robbery happening in broad daylight': Indian Country in revolt over $8 billion coronavirus fund (April 16, 2020)
Family holds onto hope while mother fights for her life after being diagnosed with COVID-19 (April 16, 2020)
Coronavirus takes higher toll on Native Americans in hard hit region (April 15, 2020)
Alaska Native corporations in line for billions in coronavirus relief promised to tribes (April 14, 2020)
'We keep getting left out': Tribal gaming remains locked out of $349 billion coronavirus relief program (April 14, 2020)
Native Sun News Today Editorial: Publishing during a time of a pandemic (April 14, 2020)
Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration (April 13, 2020)
Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage (April 13, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: Oklahomans will overcome the #Coronavirus (April 13, 2020)
Cronkite News: Businesses running out of time with #Coronavirus relief program (April 13, 2020)
VIDEO: Interview with Jonathan Nez of Navajo Nation and Chuck Hoskin Jr. of Cherokee Nation (April 9, 2020)
COVID-19 and American Racism: A Mohawk Perspective (April 9, 2020)
'At this rate, the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed (April 8, 2020)
Rapid coronavirus tests finally coming to Indian Country as cases continue to rise (April 7, 2020)
Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings' (April 7, 2020)
Montana Free Press: Governor OKs Keystone XL construction despite #Coronavirus threat (April 7, 2020)
Cronkite News: Tribal response to 2020 Census lags far behind rest of nation amid #COVID19 (April 6, 2020)
Cronkite News: 'Overwhelming' demand on first day of $349 billion #Coronavirus program (April 6, 2020)
'We need clarification now': Indian gaming industry being shut out of coronavirus relief program (April 3, 2020)
Cronkite News: Trump administration finally closes Grand Canyon after weeks of #COVID19 complaints (April 2, 2020)
'We need the money right now': Tribes await billions of dollars in coronavirus relief (April 1, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: In times of need, the Cherokee Nation does not stand down (April 1, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: More #Coronavirus help is coming to Indian Country (April 1, 2020)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin: The CARES Act brings #Coronavirus relief for tribes (April 1, 2020)
Cronkite News: Lawmakers join Navajo Nation in seeking closure of Grand Canyon due to #Coronavirus (April 1, 2020)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention faulted for delay in Indian Country coronavirus funds (March 31, 2020)
Cronkite News: As COVID-19 cases rise, so do hospital worries about equipment (March 31, 2020)
'We're building faith': Social Distance Powwow brings Indian Country together despite coronavirus (March 30, 2020)
Supreme Court churns along with Indian Country case amid coronavirus crisis (March 30, 2020)
Tim Giago: World War II and coronavirus pandemic have similarities (March 30, 2020)
Cronkite News: $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill includes $10 billion for Indian Country (March 30, 2020)
Montana Free Press: Glacier National Park closes over coronavirus concerns (March 30, 2020)
Shane Morigeau: We should do more to protect Montanans (March 27, 2020)
'We were asking for a lot more': Lawmakers fought hard for Indian Country coronavirus relief funds (March 26, 2020)
Coronavirus relief coming to Indian Country with passage of bipartisan legislation (March 26, 2020)
Tribes face great need and don't have enough resources to respond to the coronavirus pandemic (March 26, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: Fighting an invisible enemy in the #Coronavirus (March 25, 2020)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin: Resources for those impacted by #COVID19 (March 25, 2020)
Indian Health Service works to distribute more coronavirus funding to tribes as cases continue to grow (March 24, 2020)
Kevin Abourezk: Indian Country can't be left behind in coronavirus crisis (March 24, 2020)
Cronkite News: Republicans and Democrats feud over #coronavirus stimulus (March 24, 2020)
Urban Indian couple helps community amid coronavirus crisis (March 23, 2020)
Trump administration moves slowly on coronavirus funding for Indian Country (March 23, 2020)
PHOTOS: Lakota man helps fight the coronavirus (March 22, 2020
Montana Free Press: Neighboring counties ask Yellowstone National Park to close (March 23, 2020)
Chuck Hoskin: Safety and health are priority for Cherokee Nation (March 20, 2020)
'Lives are at risk': Coronavirus cases continue to grow in Indian Country as tribes push for action in Washington (March 19, 2020)
COVID-19 in Indian Country: Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) goes into self-quarantine (March 19, 2020)
COVID-19 in Indian Country: Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) goes into self-quarantine (March 19, 2020)
Doug George-Kanentiio: How the Mohawks responded to historical plagues (March 19, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: Flatten the #Coronavirus curve (March 19, 2020)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin: Do your part to flatten the #COVID19 curve (March 19, 2020)
Cronkite News: COVID-19 relief bill clears Congress as lawmakers prepare new package (March 19, 2020)
David Korten: Why coronavirus is humanity's wakeup call (March 19, 2020)
Indian Country plunges into uncertainty as coronavirus reaches their communities (March 18, 2020)
'The fight is here and now': Sacred site debate returns to nation's capital amid familiar challenges (March 12, 2020)
'We are staying on top of it': Oglala Sioux Tribe declares coronavirus emergency (March 11, 2020)
Tribes test Trump administration's commitment with coronavirus crisis (March 9, 2020)
United South and Eastern Tribes cancel D.C. meeting over coronavirus concerns (March 9, 2020)
Indian Country Today: Some say go while others say no after COVID-19 disruption (March 6, 2020)
NIGA keeps close watch on coronavirus ahead of annual convention (March 6, 2020)
Indian Health Service nominee in limbo amid another high-profile crisis (March 5, 2020)
Umatilla Tribes reopen casino after addressing coronavirus (March 5, 2020)
Indian Country Today: Warnings for tribes as coronavirus spreads (March 3, 2020)
Umatilla Tribes shut down casino and takes precautions as coronavirus hits Indian Country (March 2, 2020)
Rep. Tom Cole: Ready to combat coronavirus (February 19, 2020)
Indian Country Today: Risk from virus called 'very low' by health officials (January 29, 2020)