'Statistics are Human Beings with the Tears Wiped Away': Utilizing Data to Develop Strategies to Reduce the Number of Native Americans Who Go Missing

Abstract

It is possible to reduce the number of AI/AN persons who go missing altogether and to reduce the amount of time that AI/AN persons are missing. To do so requires quality law enforcement responses, as well as acknowledging and effectively responding to the circumstances that result in people going missing. The field of public health has done an excellent job of identifying those drivers; any holistic solution to the issue of missing AI/AN must also address the issues identified by that discipline.

This Article addresses the complexities of investigating missing person cases involving American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Section I begins with a discussion of the available data about missing persons and the various legal requirements for submitting that data. Section II outlines what is known about missing AI/AN individuals and the practical challenges to collecting accurate and complete data. Section III discusses legal considerations about missing person investigations involving AI/AN persons and the legal landscape as it affects collection of data about those cases. Finally, Section IV connects the data and legal considerations discussed in Sections I through III with possible public health solutions and other strategies that can reduce the number of missing AI/AN individuals.

Keywords: Indian Country, MMIP, MMIW, MMIWR, Missing Children, Missing Persons, American Indian, Alaska Native