AG Nessel establishes Special Task Force on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples

LANSING, Michigan (WILX) – Friday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Task Force, focused on addressing the high rates of violence against Indigenous people across the state.

This collaboration occurs across multiple agencies, bringing together tribal, federal, state, and local prosecutors, law enforcement officials, victim advocates, and human services professionals who work together to identify, develop, and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis.

To collect information and connect with MMIP victims, the Attorney General established a tip line. Anyone with information about missing or murdered Indigenous people in Michigan can call 517-284-0008, among other resources available.

The tip line is in addition to federal and tribal resources already available, including tribal community response plans that most Michigan tribes have already adopted.

“The MMIP Task Force marks a critical first step in combating abuse and violence against Indigenous people in Michigan,” said Attorney General Nessel. “By prosecuting and combating the root causes of these crimes, working directly with this broad coalition of MMIP Task Force members, we can build safer communities and unlock justice for families and victims impacted by this crisis.”

According to multiple studies, a significant majority of Indigenous women, approximately 85%, experience violence in their lifetime. The focus of the MMIP will be on improving the investigation and prosecution of these cases, closing gaps in law enforcement systems, and identifying best practices.

The Task Force aims to develop a holistic, victim-centered and culturally dignifying approach to prevention, intervention and support by examining factors that contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous individuals, particularly women, children and two-spirit people.

Leaders from across the state shared their hopes for the task force.

“My hope is that this task force will help develop and support a strong multi-jurisdictional response to the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people that can be felt by communities in Indian Country, and that real change will occur in a way that ensures that our people feel it. Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake “It is safer, more protected and more heard, and we not only find justice for victims, but also a reduction in the number of future victims by focusing on prevention,” said Tribal Chairman James Williams, Jr. Chippewa Indians.

“I am grateful to Attorney General Nessel for his leadership in addressing the persistently high levels of violence that tribal communities have endured for generations,” said Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. “We are 100% committed to working with our federal, state, local, Tribal and other partners to quickly investigate these cases and achieve justice.”

The Attorney General’s Office held its first MMIP Task Force meeting in September, where they discussed raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing state-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis. The next MMIP Task Force meeting will be held in December.

“I look forward to working with tribal leaders and state, federal and nonprofit partners to create real, systemic change for Michigan’s Native population,” Nessel said.

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