Michigan - Native American women see high rates of violence. Here's how officials are taking it on

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State and federal officials, and representatives of Michigan Native American tribes on Friday announced a new task force that will take on the longtime problem of violence against Native American and Indigenous women in Michigan.

“The Missing or Murdered Indigenous People Task Force marks a critical first step in combating abuse and violence against Indigenous people in Michigan,” Attorney General Nessel said in a release.

The interagency collaboration will bring together tribal, federal, and state and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and human services specialists to identify, develop, and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis, the release said.

“By prosecuting and tackling the root causes of these crimes, working directly with this broad coalition of MMIP Task Force members, we can build safer communities and pave the way for justice for the families and victims impacted by this crisis," Nessel said. "I look forward to working alongside tribal leaders and state, federal, and nonprofit partners to create real, systematic change for Michigan's Indigenous population.”

The Attorney General conducted the first MMIP Task Force meeting in September. Tribal leaders, state and federal agencies, and advocacy groups discussed raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing Michigan-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis.

The next MMIP Task Force meeting will be in December. Here's what we know about the issue:

How serious is violence against Indigenous people?
"For decades," The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs said on its website, "Native American and Alaska Native communities have struggled with high rates of assault, abduction, and murder of tribal members."

A 2016 study by the National Institute of Justice referenced in the release found that more than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime, including 56.1% who have experienced sexual violence, the website noted.

In 2015, 39.8% of American Indian and Alaska Native women had experienced violence, including 14.4% who had experienced sexual violence, according to the 2016 study.

Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native females experienced the second highest rate of homicide in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

Additionally, in 2020 homicide was in the top 10 leading causes of death for AI/AN females aged 1-45, the website said. More than 2 in 5 non-Hispanic AI/AN women (43.7%) were raped in their lifetime, the CDC said.

Non-Hispanic AI/AN males had the second highest rate of homicide compared with males in all other racial and ethnic groups. Homicide was in the top 10 leading causes of death for AI/AN males 1 to 54 in 2020.

Michigan-specific information was not included in the task force press release.

Miigwech, which calls itself an official partner with the state MMIP Task Force, said on its website that Indigenous women are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than other groups. The Harbor Springs-based group also said murder is the third-leading cause of death for Indigenous women.

How many Native American women go missing?
In 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, though the US Department of Justice’s federal missing persons database, according to the National Crime Information Center.

In total, the Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered cases that have gone unsolved.

The NCIC 2021 data shows 9,567 missing person entries for Native American males and females with 1,554 active files at the end of the year. The data does not outline how cases were resolved.

Figures for Michigan were not included in the press release.

What actions will the new task force take?
The MMIP Task Force will focus on improving the investigation and prosecution of cases, bridging gaps in the law enforcement systems, and identifying best practices.

The task force also aims to develop "a holistic, victim-centered, and culturally honoring approach to prevention, response, and support by examining the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous individuals, particularly women, children, and two-spirit people."

Can I provide information on unsolved cases?
The Attorney General's Office has established a tip line in addition to the federal and tribal resources that have been put in place, including the tribal community response plans that many of the Michigan tribes have adopted. Individuals with information about missing or murdered Indigenous people in Michigan can now call 517-284-0008. The BIA also has a tip line.

What are Michigan's Native American representatives saying?
“Too many of our sisters and brothers live with the devastation of having prematurely lost a loved one due to violence. We hope that this new collaboration will build upon and advance our previous efforts to make a meaningful difference," said Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

“My hope is that this task force will help develop and support such a robust multi-jurisdictional response to the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous people that it can be felt by communities throughout Indian Country, and that real change occurs to make our people feel safer, more protected and heard, and that we not only find justice for victims but realize a reduction in the number of future victims through a focus on prevention,” said James Williams, Jr., Tribal chairman of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

“The Gun Lake Tribe appreciates the collaboration with Michigan Attorney General Nessel and her office on the formation of the MMIP Task Force,” said Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, Gun Lake Tribal council member.

“For too long this issue has been largely ignored by local, state and federal law enforcement officials, leaving Tribal members to feel like second-class citizens. This task force will help bring change to a long-overlooked human rights issue,” said Dorie Rios, chair of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

"As someone who has worked as a social worker in tribal governments here in Michigan and across the country, I have witnessed up close the need to bring greater attention to reducing the high rates of violence within indigenous communities,” Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Austin Lowes said.


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