Archival Notice
This is an archive page that is no longer being updated. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function as originally intended. Please visit the Department of Justice’s new webpage for up-to-date information on its efforts to address the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons.
The Presidential Task Force
Under Executive Order 13898, the Task Force was directed to conduct consultations; develop model protocols to apply to new and unsolved cases of missing or murdered persons in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, including best practices for law enforcement response, data sharing, and better use of databases; establish multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional teams to review cold cases that involve missing and murdered AI/AN; and develop both an education/outreach campaign and a public awareness campaign. However, the Task Force itself did not have the authority to review or investigate ongoing cases or cold cases, nor to provide direct or indirect support to victims or families at any stage of the criminal investigation or proceedings. If you or your family requires additional assistance, there are resources that may be able to provide assistance or refer you to organizations that might assist you.
President Biden Signs New Executive Order Addressing Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 which is aimed at improving public safety and criminal justice for Native Americans and addressing the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous people. Issued on the first day of the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden’s order directs the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security to work together with Tribes. The new Executive Order will build on the work already in place of the Attorney General’s MMIP Initiative and Operation Lady Justice, and the tasks required by Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act. Read Executive Order 14053.
NEW: Guide for Families of Missing Persons
When a Loved One Goes Missing: Resources for Families of Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Adults is an OLJ guide that provides information and resources to assist family members with the search for a missing adult loved one.
Scammers Target Families of Missing Persons
The FBI warns that scammers have used social media posts about missing persons to target and attempt to extort families. If a scammer is trying to extort you or someone you know, contact your local law enforcement agency or file a complaint with the FBI at www.IC3.gov.
Department of Justice Journal of Federal Law and Practice
As part of the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Department of Justice's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative and the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives (Operation Lady Justice), the Department published two issues of the Department of Justice Journal of Federal Law and Practice dedicated to the topics of missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Issue on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons: Legal, Prosecution, Advocacy and Healthcare
This issue, published March 2021, focuses on topics related to law, prosecution, advocacy and healthcare-related issues.
Issue on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People: Law Enforcement & Prevention
This issue, published January 2021, focuses on law enforcement and prevention-related issues.
Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Resources and Fact Sheets
There are resources available to help address the issues surrounding the missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives in the US.