EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. (November 22, 2023) – California, home to the largest Native American population in the United States, is grappling with a deeply troubling crisis that has been described as an epidemic, an emergency, and a dire situation by tribal leaders. With over 160 tribes, the state ranks 5th in the nation for cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people, sparking urgent calls for change and recognition.
According to California’s Superior Court, Native Americans constitute the highest rate of missing and murdered individuals. Dustin Murray, tribal administrator for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, emphasizes the disproportionate levels of violence faced by Native American women, children, and individuals, resulting in the tragic reality of them going missing or being murdered.
“Whether it’s our mothers, daughters, sisters, we need them back,”
Murray passionately stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The lack of public awareness about this issue is a concern, as without the spotlight, many individuals might remain unaware of the crisis faced by Indigenous communities.
Murray and tribe Chairwoman Regina Cuellar have been instrumental in advocating for change. Their efforts led to the implementation of California’s Feather Alert System, signed into law in 2022 and enacted in January 2023. The Feather Alert System, comparable to an Amber Alert, allows state police to send notifications for people missing from tribal land. It represents a collaborative effort between tribal leaders and state authorities to address the urgency of finding missing individuals.
One year after its implementation, Murray considers the Feather Alert a success. “It means that our voices were heard first and foremost, and that the state is backing a solution to this problem,” he explained. The substantial support from outside the tribal community has been a source of encouragement.
The Sovereign Bodies Institute, tracking missing Indigenous people in California since 2015, reports an average of about 14 known cases per year. However, considering the misreporting and misclassification of Native Americans in official reports, advocates believe the actual number is significantly higher. The accuracy of the data is a pressing concern, with unreported cases remaining a daunting challenge.
Statistics from the Sovereign Bodies Institute reveal distressing realities: 84% of Indigenous women living on reservations fall victim to some form of violence. They are 10 times more likely to be murdered, constituting 40% of victims exploited in sex trafficking. These cases often involve additional layers of substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness.
While the Feather Alert System is a crucial step forward, the work is only just beginning. Murray emphasizes the need for advocacy at a local level, particularly for funding that would enable tribes to have their own courts and police departments. This resource, currently rare, is vital for addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
“We’re on a mission to uplift all tribes and all the missing so their communities can find peace and heal from the past,”
Murray affirmed. The impact of this crisis is far-reaching, touching every family and every community, making it an issue that affects every tribal person in the state.
As California confronts the complex web of challenges surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous people, the voices of those like Dustin Murray and Regina Cuellar echo a call for systemic change, justice, and healing.
