Indigenous relatives are disproportionately likely to experience violence, be murdered, or go missing compared to other demographic groups. In Utah, although they make up just 1.5% of the population, American Indian and Alaska Native relatives account for over 5% of all murder victims.
In 2020, the Utah Legislature created the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force (renamed the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force in 2023) to consult on issues related to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) injustice, develop model protocols and procedures, identify best practices related to case investigation and prosecution, and conduct community education and outreach.
In 2022, the Utah MMIR Task Force contracted with Wilder Research, and Wilder subcontracted with Restoring Ancestral Winds and a retired FBI missing persons investigator, to examine the scope and nature of the MMIR injustice and make recommendations for improvements to the criminal justice and social service systems for preventing and addressing crimes involving Indigenous relatives in Utah. The study included interviews with key informants, stakeholder feedback, listening sessions with family members of MMIR victims and community members in Utah, an inspection of existing federal and state legislation; and a review of relevant research literature.
Yolanda Francisco, Executive Director of Restoring Ancestral Winds shares, “We are deeply grateful to the Indigenous people of Utah, State of Utah officials, Representative Romero, and Senator Hinkins for investing in this important MMIR Report authored by Wilder Research. This report validates that we have serious issues facing Indigenous people in our state, cities, towns, and Tribal Nations. This report highlights some of the multiple, complex disparities Native people face and it will prove valuable as we explore solid solutions within state systems.”
The study identified overarching themes that define and perpetuate the MMIR injustice in Utah including:
- Gaps in trusting relationships, between both Indigenous communities and law enforcement, and Tribes, and the State of Utah, contribute to challenges in the reporting, investigation, and response to cases of MMIR.
- Indigenous relatives and others with economic and social vulnerabilities (including poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental health concerns, cultural and community disconnection, and generational trauma) are at increased risk of experiencing violence and exploitation, going missing, and being murdered.
- Lack of access to investigative resources, expertise, personnel, and infrastructure in rural Utah, including some Tribal lands. Some law enforcement agencies struggle with having adequate staff capacity, or are stretched thin over vast geographic areas. This contributes to delays in response time.
- Need for more consistent and effective communication and information-sharing among law enforcement, victims, and their families; among law enforcement agencies; and among victim service providers. Improved communication is especially needed right away when a person goes missing—both to notify Tribal governments when a Tribal member or descendent goes missing off of Tribal lands, and to notify local and county law enforcement agencies when a person goes missing from Tribal lands. Increased communication may bolster the effectiveness of law enforcement’s investigation, search, and recovery of missing persons.
“The extensive research we conducted for the Utah MMIR Task Force identified some clear gaps between where Utah is at now and what is known in the field of missing persons and death investigation to be best practices, especially when the victim is Indigenous,” said Wilder Research researcher Nicole MartinRogers. “However, the research and the feedback from Task Force members, Tribal leaders, and other key players also points us to concrete recommendations that are strongly supported and likely to have a real, positive impact on the MMIR injustice in Utah.”
The report recommends key strategies and solutions, including:
- Create a state-level position focused on the MMIR issue to coordinate efforts across state agencies and with the Tribes.
- Ensure timely and consistent reporting to national crime and missing persons data systems.
- Strengthen the response to missing persons reports and death investigations by supporting Tribes to develop their own plans in Indian Country, and by updating state and local missing persons policies and practices to reflect what the current research shows are effective investigative approaches.
- Improve the quality and consistency of communication between law enforcement, prosecutors, and families about the status and progress of their loved one’s investigation.
- Expand cold case resources by building on an already effective approach used in Utah.
- Strengthen the working relationships between the State of Utah and Tribes related to law enforcement and medical examiner needs.
- Conduct more direct consultation between the Task Force and the Tribes to ensure the Tribes’ needs and interests are reflected and that the recommendations are implemented with respect to government-to-government relationships.
- Provide financial support to Tribes and urban American Indian communities for cultural revitalization programming, violence prevention, emergency support, and victim services.
Representative Romero, as the Co-Chair of the Task Force emphasizes that the findings from the study will guide future actions and initiatives. Romero comments, “The report highlights challenges in communication and coordination. This upcoming legislative session, I will be working to secure funding for a state FTE to enhance coordination and communication across state agencies and the Tribes.” Acknowledging the persistent need for additional efforts, she adds, “There is more work to be done to ensure that families can find the answers they seek. I am actively collaborating with colleagues to draft legislation for the upcoming session, aiming to enact policy changes that will have a meaningful impact.”
“This task force is committed to making Utah safer by working with Tribes to address the disparities in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous relatives and to prevent further violence,” said Task Force Co-Chair Senator Hinkins. “Today, we heard from Wilder Research on key findings and recommendations from their report. This report will allow the task force to continue to take informed steps to address this issue moving forward.”
To learn more and read the report, please visit here.
About Utah Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force
During the 2020 General Session, the Utah Legislature created the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force (renamed the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force in 2023) to consult on issues related to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) injustice, develop model protocols and procedures, identify best practices related to case investigation and prosecution, and conduct community education and outreach.
About Restoring Ancestral Winds
The mission of Restoring Ancestral Winds is to contribute to the healing of Indigenous communities. The organization aims to advocate for healthy relationships, educate communities on issues related to stalking, domestic, sexual, dating, and family violence, collaborate with members and stakeholders in the Great Basin community, and uphold and reinforce traditional values across all relations. The organization is dedicated to making a positive impact and encourages individuals to explore more about its efforts and consider offering their support.
About Wilder Research:
Wilder Research is a nationally respected independent research group at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Through research and evaluation services, Wilder helps mission-driven organizations throughout Minnesota and the country gather and interpret facts and trends, uncover and understand issues affecting their communities and how best to address them, and inform action that improves lives and communities.
