In both the US and Canada there are and have been disproportionately high rates of Indigenous people going missing or being murdered, as well as often inappropriate or questionable LE responses to such events. This phenomenon has become known as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). The following terms are used across different sources to describe the crisis:
Missing & Murdered...
Native American Women (MMNAW)
Indigenous...
Women (MMIW)
Women & Girls (MMIWG)
Women & Children (MMIWC)
Women, Girls, & Two-Spirit (MMIWG2 / MMIWG2S)
Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, & Men (MMIWG2M / MMIWG2SM)
Women & Relatives (MMIWR)
Women & People (MMIWP)
Relatives (MMIR)
People (MMIP)
For simplicity's sake, I will be using the broadest term, MMIP, though when citing a specific source I will use the term used by the author(s). As this blog concerns missing and murdered people in western states as a whole, including MMIP, I thought it important to provide these links, some of which specifically contain information regarding the MMIP cases highlighted on this site.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of resources regarding MMIP, such as hotlines, booklets and guides, research reports and data, infographics, task forces, support services (organizations, women's homes, shelters, family services, LGBTQ resource centers, etc.), and other general information provided by official organizations.
In general, each source is first listed by its overall website, which is usually that of a relevant organization, and then underneath are some of the specific relevant pages. Other, one-off sources are stand-alone. Listed first under each heading are websites and online resources in alphabetical order, followed by alphabetized research reports; the latter are/will be cited using proper citation guidelines (with the exception of yearly reports, which share the same citation information).
I have worked to ensure that everything listed here comes from accredited sources. However, I should note that some sources have their disadvantages: primarily, unlike governmental agencies, Indigenous-led organizations may not have full access to law enforcement data. Non-Indigenous government agencies, on the other hand, do not always operate in a culturally-sensitive or thorough manner. Many of the individual sources go into further detail regarding the gaps in and issues with their data.
As always, I do not claim any of these sources as my own work, though this list itself is. All credit is due toward the original creators.
[Note: Resources listed under specific states consist of a) studies, reports, data, etc. on MMIP in that state or a region of it, and b) organizations based within that state, such as the Sovereign Bodies Institute in California, though the resources that each organization provides may apply on a national scale.]
United States
Hotlines and Support Services
For immediate emergencies, please call 911.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.856.HOPE
National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 855-812-1001
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Hotlines specifically for Indigenous people
StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
Colorado MMIR Hotline: (833) 900-6647
Further lists also included below
Missing & Murdered Unit Victim Services Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Hotlines for Victims and Survivors, NIWRC
Yurok Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Program, Yurok Tribal Court
MMIP Survivors Resources, Association on American Indian Affairs
Arizona
MMIWG, Research on Violent Victimization (ROVV) Lab, Arizona State University
Fox, K. A., Sharp, C., Devereaux, T., et al. (2020). "Reducing missing and murdered
Indigenous women and girls: Arizona’s statewide study in partnership with the HB2570
Harvey, C., Stanek, K., Sharp, C., et al. (2022). "Missing and murdered Indigenous women
and girls: The crisis in Arizona." Infographic, pdf. Tempe, AZ: ASU ROVV. Missing Persons Unit, Navajo Nation Police Department
California
California Indian Legal Services
Feather Alert, California Highway Patrol
Los Angeles County
Dobson, A., & Nez, T. (2023). "We Are Still Here: A Report on Past, Present, and Ongoing Harms Against Local Tribes." Report, pdf. Los Angeles County: Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commision.
Lucchesi, A. (2022). "Taaqtam Müüy’müy’k – Hidden Bodies: MMIP of Central & Southern
California." Project report, pdf. California: SBI, in collaboration with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
See also the To’ Kee Skuy’ Soo Ney-wo-chek’ Project directly below.
To’ Kee Skuy’ Soo Ney-wo-chek’ Project on MMIP of Northern CA, in collaboration with the Sovereign Bodies Institute
Colorado
New Mexico
New Mexico MMIWR Task Force (2020). "Report to the Governor and Legislature on the Task
Force Findings and Recommendations." Report, pdf. NMIAD. Appendix A, "Existing MMIWR Support Services," pg.s 45-46 of pdf
NM MMIWR Task Force (2021). "MMIWR Task Force Findings." Infographic, pdf. NMIAD. NM MMIWR Task Force (2024). "New Mexico: What to do if someone goes missing."
NM MMIWR Task Force (2024). "What to do if an Indigenous person goes missing." Poster,
Missing Persons Unit, Navajo Nation Police Department
Oregon
MMNAW Work Group. (Sept. 2020). "Oregon State Police Report on Missing and
Murdered Native American Women." Report, pdf. Oregon State Police. For expansion on issues with this, see the report directly below.
USOAG (Feb. 2021). "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Report." Report, pdf. U.S. Attorney General’s Office District of Oregon.
Utah
Austin, J., MartinRogers, N., Granias, A., et al. (2023). "Murdered and Missing Indigenous
Relatives (MMIR) Task Force for the Utah Legislature Policy, Best and Emerging
Washington
Echo-Hawk,
A., Dominguez, A., & Echo-Hawk, L. (2024). "MMIWG: We Demand More: A
corrected research study of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in
Also available below under "National Resources."
MMIWP in Washington, Washington Law Help
MMIP in Pierce County
WSP (2019). "Missing & Murdered Native American Women Report." Report, pdf. Washington State Patrol.
For expansion on why this report is problematic, see the report "MMIWG: We Demand More" published by the UIHI above.
National Resources
Bachman, R., Zaykowski, H., Kallmyer, R., et al. (2008). "Violence Against American Indian
and Alaska Native Women and the Criminal Justice Response: What is Known." Report, pdf. National Institute of Justice.
Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI)
Echo-Hawk, A. (2021). "Improving Law Enforcement Data for Missing and Murdered
Echo-Hawk,
A., Dominguez, A., & Echo-Hawk, L. (2024). "MMIWG: We Demand More: A
corrected research study of missing and murdered Indigenous women &
girls in
Echo-Hawk, A., Vega, E., Gurule, S., et al. (2024). "A Step Toward Justice: Community
Lucchesi, A., & Echo-Hawk, A. (2018). "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls: A
snapshot of data from 71 urban cities in the United States." Report, pdf. Seattle: UIHI.
MMIP State Resources, Office for Victims of Crime, US DOJ
NIWRC (2024). "When a loved one goes missing: A quick reference guide for families of
Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, Native Women's Wilderness
MMIP Survivors Resources, Association on American Indian Affairs
MMIWR: Toolkit & Resource Guide for Libraries, American Library Association (ALA)
Canada
Hotlines & Services
Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at HopeForWellness
MMIWG crisis line: 1-844-413-6649
MMIWG Health and Cultural Support program
Family Information Liaison Units
British Columbia
MMIWG2S Reference Guide, University of British Columbia
Government of British Columbia
Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "A Path
Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C." Documents, pdfs. Status updates Government of British Columbia. "Report in Response to Forsaken." Documents, pdfs. Status Government of British Columbia. "A Vision for a
Violence Free BC: Addressing violence
against women in British
Columbia." Document, pdf.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (2014). "Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women in British Columbia, Canada." IACHR, pdf.
Missing Women Commission of Inquiry (2012). "Forsaken: The Report of the Missing
also available.
National / General Canadian Resources
Government of Canada
Juristat, Statistics Canada
Brennan, S. (2011). "Violent victimization of Aboriginal women in the Canadian provinces,
Burczycka, M., & Cotter, M. (2023). "Court outcomes in homicides of Indigenous women and
girls, 2009 to 2021." Publication, pdf. Juristat, 43(1). Statistics Canada. Heidinger, L. (2022). "Violent victimization and perceptions of safety: Experiences of First
Nations, Métis, and Inuit women in Canada." Publication, pdf. Juristat, 42(1). Statistics Canada.
Perreault, S. (2022). "Victimization of First Nations people, Métis, and Inuit in Canada."
Sutton, D. (2023). "Gender-related homicide of women and girls in Canada." Publication, pdf. Juristat, 43(1). Statistics Canada.
National Inquiry into MMIWG (2017). "Executive summary from the interim report."
National Inquiry into MMIWG (2017). "Our women and girls are sacred." Interim report, pdf. National Inquiry into MMIWG (2018). "Submissions from parties with standing."
National Inquiry into MMIWG (2019). "Executive summary of the final report."
National Inquiry into MMIWG (2019). "Consolidated literature review of reports." Review, National Inquiry into MMIWG (2019). "Reclaiming power and place." Final report, vol.s 1a & 1b, pdfs.
Government of Canada (2021). "Federal Pathway to Address Missing & Murdered
Indigenous Women, Girls, & 2SLGBTQQIA+ People." Document.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
RCMP (2014). "Missing and murdered Aboriginal women: National operational overview."
Indigenous Governments & Organizations
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. (2025). "National Inuit Action Plan on Missing & Murdered Inuit
AFN (2024). "Breathing Life into the Calls for Justice: A CFJ Progress Report." Report, pdf.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (2022). "Illuminating the Way: Beholding Power and Place."
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (2024). "Illuminating the Way to Action." Bulletin, pdf. CAP (2021). "Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking." Report, pdf.
Native Women's Association of Canada (2009). "Voices of Our Sisters in Spirit: A Report
to Families and Communities." Report, pdf. NWAC. Roudometkina, A., & Wakeford, K. (2018). "Trafficking of Indigenous Women and Girls in
Canada: Submission to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights."
Other Sources
Hansen, J. G., & Dim, E. E. (2019). "Canada's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and
the Imperative for a More Inclusive Perspective." International Indigenous Policy
Ugalde, E. G. (2023). "Unveiling the Veiled Narratives: Settler-Colonialism, Matrilineality,
and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls along the Highway of
Tears." Canadian Journal for the Academic Mind, 1(1), 117-132. Publication, pdf. CBC News MMIW Database, 2018
"List of Missing and Murdered Women." Google Sheet. Winnipeg Free Press, 2014.
MMIP Publications, Urban Indigenous Action Group
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