Last week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous People Task Force, marking a significant step forward in the fight against systemic problems that have plagued Indigenous people for generations.
“The MMIP Task Force marks a critical first step in the fight against abuse and violence against Michigan’s indigenous people,” said Attorney General Nessel. “By prosecuting and addressing the root causes of these crimes, and working directly with this broad coalition of MMIP Task Force members, we can build safer communities and pave the way to justice for the families and victims affected by these crisis have been hit. I look forward to working with tribal leaders and state, federal and nonprofit partners to create real, systemic change for Michigan’s indigenous people.”
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Research shows that almost 85 percent of indigenous women experience violence during their lives. The formation of the MMIP Task Force will focus on closing gaps in law enforcement responses and implementing best practices to support victims and their families.
The formation of the task force is being applauded by local Native organizations in Michigan for taking a step forward in the fight to protect the most vulnerable.
“Attorney General Nessel’s leadership is a beacon of hope for our communities,” said Andrea Pierce, president and co-founder of the Anishinaabek Caucus. “Her commitment to working with Indigenous leaders and advocates demonstrates a genuine commitment to justice and healing. We believe this Task Force will not only raise awareness of this crisis, but also promote real, tangible changes in the way these cases are handled.”
The Department of Attorney General held the first MMIP Task Force meeting in September 2024, bringing together tribal leaders, state and federal agencies, and advocacy groups to discuss raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing Michigan-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis to develop. The next meeting of the MMIP Task Force will take place in December 2024.
“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 across Indian Country, and that real change takes place to make our people feel safer, more protected and heard, and that we not only find justice for the victims, but also reduce 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.
Other Michigan tribal representatives also shared their appreciation.
“The Gun Lake Tribe appreciates the partnership with Michigan Attorney General Nessel and her office in forming the MMIP Task Force,” said Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, member of the Gun Lake Tribal Council. “This grassroots cause, which started as MMIW and has transitioned from focusing solely on women to people, is important to our tribal community. In a community focused on the well-being and protection of all our citizens, we knew we had to get involved .Our tribe also has an internal task force focused on policies and procedures that protect these rights from the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Domestic Violence and MMIP. We are honored to have three leaders from the Gun Lake Tribe on this task force across the country state to have: Jodie Palmer, Tribal Council Vice Chair, Liz Cook, General Counsel, and myself Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, Tribal Council We are excited to be part of this effort and applaud the state’s involvement in this movement.”
“We are grateful that Attorney General Nessel is leading this new effort to address the heartbreaking issue of violence against indigenous people,” said Dorie Rios, president of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. “For too long, this issue has been largely ignored by local, state and federal law enforcement, leaving Tribal members feeling like second-class citizens. This task force will help bring about change on a long-overlooked human rights issue.”
“As someone who has worked as a social worker in tribal governments here in Michigan and across the country, I have witnessed firsthand the need to focus more attention on reducing the high rates of violence within Native communities,” said Sault Ste . Marie Tribe. from Chippewa Indians president Austin Lowes.
About the Author: “Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University, where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American Studies .”
Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net
