Michigan Attorney General creates the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force

Michigan’s Attorney General’s office created a new task force aimed to address the high rate of violence against Indigenous people in the state.

Recently Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessell announced the creation of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force which will seek to bring together tribal, local, state, and federal agencies, including prosecutors, law enforcement, victim advocates, and human services specialists. The MMIP Task Force is a critical first step, says Nessell, to tackling the root causes of crimes against Indigenous communities and people. The broad coalition will aim to build safer communities and pave the way for justice for families and victims impacted by this crisis.

The goal of the task force will expand beyond criminal justice, and seek to improve how cases are investigated and handled between cooperating agencies. With the addition of the task force’s creation, the Attorney General’s office has started a crisis tip line, 517 284 0008, for victims of physical, and sexual violence to access and provide investigators with important information, as well as learn about resources available to victims.

Sault Ste Marie Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes says he applauded the state efforts to address this issue and he looks forward to adding his knowledge as a social worker to help the task force in whatever ways possible. Especially as the partnership begins it collaborates works and seeks to build stronger communities across Michigan.

Those interested in learning more about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force created by the Michigan Attorney General’s office can find more details here.