AMBER Alert in Indian Country News

Recent Indian Country News

Study: Nebraska seeing significant rise in missing Indigenous people

Reported cases of missing Indigenous people in Nebraska have nearly doubled—from 23 in 2020 to 43 in 2024. Those figures come roughly five years after the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) was tasked with studying and producing recommendations to curb the disproportionate rate at which Indigenous children and women go missing. Officials believe the increased number […]
Missing Puyallup Tribal member Besse Handy

Washington’s first-in-the-nation Missing Indigenous Persons alert deemed success

More than two years ago, Washington became the first state to implement alerts for missing Indigenous people. Today, law enforcement officials say the alerts—enacted in response to statistics showing that Indigenous persons go missing at a higher rate than other groups—have proved crucial in locating missing teens, many of whom can become victims of trafficking. […]

Alaska aims to strengthen case review and cultural training for investigators

Alaska is ushering in the new year with an increased focus on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis. New legislation signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy requires Indigenous cultural training for new police officers, an assessment of the Department of Public Safety’s investigative resources for reporting MMIP cases, and the establishment of a commission […]
Image of Pamela Foster tending to the grave of her daughter, Ashlynne Mike

Exclusive: A 20th Birthday Wish for Ashlynne Mike — from Her Mother

My dearest Ashlynne, Here’s wishing you what would have been your 20th birthday today — November 13, 2024. Instead of writing out your card like I always did, today I will cherish our special moments while wishing you a happy birthday. Tears of joy flow as I remember the day you were born. It was […]
Photo of Medicine Wheel motorcycle ride in Chumash, Arizona

Indigenous Medicine Wheel motorcycle group: ‘We Ride for Her’

Indigenous female motorcyclists continue to rev up their engines—as well as their messaging—to raise awareness about the high rate of missing and murdered girls and women in Native American communities. This past July, the Medicine Wheel Ride motorcycle group from Phoenix partnered with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in Santa Barbara County, California, […]
Photo collage of missing Indigenous Indian Country women and girls

Department of Justice building partnerships to address MMIW crisis

Saying that there is “still so much more to do,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland vowed to continue prioritizing efforts to combat the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis. Initiatives include the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) MMIP Regional Outreach Program which places attorneys and coordinators in regions across the U.S. to help prevent and […]
Photo of Native American Indigenous female reviewing electronic data

New bill to ease Tribal access to electronic evidence

Tribal courts could soon have easier access to electronic evidence such as emails and social media messages in criminal cases—a move that would be beneficial, among other things, in Internet crimes against children investigations. U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Mike Rounds of South Dakota introduced the bipartisan Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act as […]
Photo of Native American female at dawn/dusk with this quote from Janell Rasmussen, Administrator of the AMBER Alert Training & Technical Assistance Program (AATTAP): "Today we recognize Indigenous peoples' unique struggles, as well as their resilience; their need for greater understanding and compassion; and their hope to not be invisible to those who can protect them."

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024: ‘We are stronger together’

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024, all of us with the AMBER Alert Training & Technical Assistance Program (AATTAP) and the AMBER Alert in Indian Country (AIIC) Initiative honor the rich histories and diverse cultures of Native American, Alaskan Native, and other Indigenous communities. “Today we recognize Indigenous peoples’ unique struggles, as well as their resilience; their […]

Murdered & missing women is top concern for Native Americans heading into elections

Native American voters could decide major elections in 2024, and grassroots efforts are underway across swing states to get this important electorate out to vote as Democrats and Republicans vie for power. Key issues for Native Americans, particularly Native American women, include the high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous women, according to a 2023 […]

FCC advances new IPAWS alert code for missing, endangered Indigenous people

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a proposal for an emergency alert that could help save the lives of missing and endangered Indigenous people. The new alert code would make it easier for public safety officials to use TV, radio, and cell phones to notify the public about missing Native Americans and Alaska Natives. […]

More News

NAVAJO NATION GETS AMBER ALERT

WINDOW ROCK – On Tuesday, Navajo Nation Russell Begaye signed a contract to purchase a mass notification software to implement an emergency alert system for road closures, weather notifications, hazardous waste spills, wildland fires and AMBER Alerts.

Read the Original Article

NATIONAL MISSING CHILDRENS DAY

OJJDP's official page for National Missing Children's Day, which takes place every May 25, includes resources for finding missing children, and details about the awards, ceremony and poster contest.

 

LEARN MORE

SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES McCAIN BILL TO EXPAND AMBER ALERT SYSTEM ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today passed the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017Read the Full Release

CONGRESSMAN BIGGS INTRODUCES THE "AMBER ALERT IN INDIAN COUNTRY ACT OF 2017"

May 25, 2017  |  Press Release

"No child – regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or birthplace – should be outside the protection and jurisdiction of such a vital security resource"

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017.

Read MORE

FIRST CHILD RECOVERED BY AMBER ALERT LEAVING HOME FOR COLLEGE

She made headlines when she was only two months old, becoming the first child ever recovered by Arlington's then-fledgling Amber Alert system.

Now, 18-year-old Rae-Leigh Bradbury is preparing to graduate high school and has some big plans after that.

"I don't remember any of it, but I know the story," said Bradbury, who lives with her family in Fort Worth.

READ THE ARTICLE

A SIX-YEAR ANALYSIS OF SEX TRAFFICKERS OF MINORS: EXPLORING CHARACTERISTICS AND SEX TRAFFICKING PATTERNS

Sex trafficking is a pervasive national problem in the United States. Media reports indicate that sex trafficking occurs in both rural and urban areas with victims who are children and adults, of any gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Learn more and review dashboard and video information about the project here.

Read the Summary

SENATOR JOHN McCAIN INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND AMBER ALERT SYSTEM ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS

Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) recently introduced the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017, legislation that would expand the AMBER Alert child abduction warning system on Native American reservations by clarifying that Indian tribes are eligible for Department of Justice (DOJ) grants that help assemble AMBER Alert systems for law enforcement agencies.

Read the Full Release

NAVAJO NATION AMBER ALERT & EMERGENCY ALERT TASK FORCE COMPLETES MILESTONE

BY NATIVE NEWS ONLINE STAFF | CURRENTS | 14 JAN 2017

WINDOW ROCK – On Jan. 9, the Navajo Nation Amber Alert and Emergency Alert Task Force under the direction of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, Department of Emergency Management accomplished a huge milestone to bring the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to the Navajo Nation.

Read MORE

THE INDIAN COUNTRY CHILD TRAUMA CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AND KOGNITO LAUNCH SIMULATION TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT ON TRAUMA-INFORMED POLICING

ROLE-PLAY SIMULATION PREPARES TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS TO LEAD MORE EFFECTIVE REAL-LIFE INTERACTIONS WITH TRIBAL YOUTH

January 31, 2017 – The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center, housed at the Indian Country Child Trauma Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, and Kognito, an innovator in developing evidence-based role-play simulations, have announced the launch of an interactive role-play simulation aimed at building the capacity among law enforcement professionals to lead more effective interactions with tribal youth.

Read MORE

Tucson Air Branch helps FBI with AMBER Alert

TUCSON – Two teams from the Air and Marine Operation’s Tucson Air Branch (TAB), responding to an Amber Alert released today out of Chandler, Arizona, joined with the FBI and Navajo Nation police to locate a missing girl, and detain a male suspect involved in her disappearance.

READ THE ARTICLE

Maci Lilley Found Alive: 4-Year Old Girl Abducted From Park Located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana

BILLINGS – Maci Maelyn Lilley was found alive and in good health after the 4-year-old girl was reported abducted in the Wolf Point area on Friday, Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a news release Sunday morning.
Lee Allmer, public information officer for Roosevelt County, said Lilley was discovered at about 11:20 a.m. Sunday...

READ MORE

Tribal Prosecutor Now Leading Fight to Help Recover Abducted Indian Children

Hedi Bogda has a unique, perhaps unparalleled perspective on Native American culture and law. She is a tribal prosecutor, tribal judge and an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Her background and skills are now being used to train prosecutors, judges and law enforcement officers handling child abduction cases in Indian Country.

VIEW PDF

DOJ Press Release

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF PROGRAM TO ENHANCE TRIBAL ACCESS TO NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION DATABASES

Department of Justice Tribal Access Program Will Continue to Improve the Exchange of Critical Data

WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice is expanding the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information which provides federally-recognized tribes access to national crime information databases for both civil and criminal purposes. Tribes interested in participating in TAP must submit a letter or resolution from the tribe’s governing body by Dec. 2. TAP allows tribes to more effectively serve and protect their communities by ensuring the exchange of critical data...

Read MORE