Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
New policies aimed at addressing Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) will soon be enacted statewide in Alaska, after legislation was recently signed into law.
The bill expands resources and training for police across the state – and is drawing praise from a longtime MMIP advocate.
KNOM’s Ben Townsend has more.
The legislation establishes a new MMIP Review Commission, a nine-member body responsible for reviewing unsolved MMIP cases and submitting reports to the Alaska Legislature.
The commission includes seats for representatives from victim advocacy and Alaska Native tribal organizations.
Deilah Johnson, an advocate and organizer with the Village of Solomon, said the creation of the commission is a much-needed step toward addressing the crisis.
“At the state level, there was just not a lot of discussion or acknowledgment in addressing any of the overwhelming statistics surrounding the issues facing indigenous populations, specifically women and young girls.”
The bill also mandates Indigenous cultural training for new police officers in Alaska.
The training will be especially impactful in rural communities like Nome, where the police department recruits officers that only live in the community while serving their two week rotations.
Johnson believes the cultural training will help officers deepen their understanding of the people they serve.
“They’re on and off without any real sensitive training to the people that they are protecting, understanding, and needing to work into the different culture and lifestyles of the people.”
The bill also requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to file a missing persons report to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
They need to do so within 60 days of a report being filed at the local level.
The DPS will also employ at least two full-time MMIP investigators.
While Johnson acknowledges the bill is a step in the right direction, she hopes that the momentum won’t stop here.
“I really would hope that this is going to continue to generate the awareness surrounding these issues, keep the conversation going, and allow for additional partners to jump in and build additional resources.”
The new law will take effect on January 1, 2025.
Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Apache people and their allies, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to protect Oak Flat in Arizona from mining by Resolution Copper.
This week, the group formally filed its appeal to the high court, after the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to rehear the group’s case, Apache Stronghold v. the U.S., in May.
Earlier this year, a panel of 11 judges on the appeals court narrowly ruled against the group.
Oak Flat is sacred to Western Apache and other Native people who say the proposed copper mine violates religious freedom.
Apache people and their allies hosted a day of prayer outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Dr. Wendsler Nosie Senior of Apache Stronghold says Oak Flat is their Mt. Sinai, and he is praying the justices will protect their place of worship.
Resolution Copper says the project will supply copper, create jobs, and boost Arizona’s economy.
Resolution Copper told KJZZ News the case “doesn’t present any question worthy of Supreme Court review.”
The Supreme Court will first have to agree to consider the case.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Tribal Government Relations, the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, and the Eastern Oklahoma VA Medical Center are hosting a Homeless Veterans Stand Down.
The event next week in Okmulgee, Okla., will focus on identifying and assisting homeless veterans across Eastern Oklahoma.
A number of services will be provided including health care, disability benefits, free legal aid, and social security.
According to the VA, many veterans are unaware they could be eligible for benefits.
Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily and stay up-to-date on the 2024 Native Vote. Sign up for our daily newsletter today.
Leave a Reply