Native America Calling: Advocates push back against new obstacles to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives momentum

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Native America Calling: Advocates push back against new obstacles to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives momentum

Monday, December 1, 2025

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Advocates push back against new obstacles to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives momentum

Despite promises by elected leaders to address the disproportionate number of Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are murdered or go missing, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) advocates say there is little progress and even steps backward for victims and their families.

Advocates say the Trump administration’s removal of the Not Invisible Act report from the Department of Justice’s website is a setback for public awareness and the work to fight the ongoing problem. Advocates also complained that Alaska officials are not adequately acknowledging the number of unsolved cases.

Since that complaint, state officials added 50 names to the unsolved cases list. Numerous data sources point to the disproportionate rate that Native people are victims of violence and their cases go unresolved.

The REDress Project, created by Metis artist Jaime Black to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women, is exhibited outside of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., in March 2019. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Guests on Native America Calling

Charlene Aqpik Apok (Iñupiaq), executive director of Data for Indigenous Justice, based in Alaska

Karrisa Newkirk (Caddo), president and founder of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women-Chahta in Oklahoma

Cheryl Horn (Nakota and Aaniiih), MMIP advocate from the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana