Missing and Murdered Native Americans

A bipartisan bill in Congress aims to bolster tribal law enforcement and combat the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The BADGES Act makes resources available, assists with officer recruitment and retention and increases tribal access to a national missing persons database.

The Arizona attorney general’s office has launched a new effort to combat human trafficking and missing and murdered Indigenous people. The first-of-its-kind program will focus on creating awareness in tribal communities throughout the state.

A bill under consideration by the Utah Legislature would expand a task force on missing and murdered Indigenous people.

The Navajo Nation Police Tuba City District is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. 49-year-old Duwayne Max Yazzie was last seen in Flagstaff on November 28, 2022.

The Navajo Nation Police Chinle District is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. Authorities say 29-year-old Leslie Mitchell last had contact with his family on December 13, 2022.

Authorities say 43-year-old Norman Holtsoi Yazzie was last seen leaving his home in Twin Lakes, New Mexico. His family states they last had text message contact with him on December 23, 2022.

Ella Mae Begay went missing from her home in Sweetwater, Arizona, in 2021. Her niece walked to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness for her missing aunt and missing and murdered Indigenous women worldwide.

The Navajo Nation Council is considering legislation that would establish a task force to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Navajo Nation officials say they have issued an executive order to investigate and locate missing tribal members in a manner that is empathetic to victims and their families.

The FBI has updated its list of 186 Native Americans who are confirmed to be missing in New Mexico and on the Navajo Nation.