Karuk Tribe Represents Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

For the fourth year in a row, The Karuk Tribe attended the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’s (MMIP) Policy Summit in the state of California. This event brings together survivors, Tribal leaders, advocates, and Legislative and state agency leaders to address the epidemic of MMIP.

In previous years, this event has yielded changes such as Assembly Bill 1314, or “The Feather alert”, AB 44, which grants Tribal Governments to access CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) and AB 3099 which directed the California Department of Justice to increase collaboration and training with Law Enforcement agencies related to MMIP cases and to provide outreach to victims, family and advocates.

This year, the Karuk Tribe MMIP Program sent a delegation of 32 Tribal Leaders, members, employees, cultural practitioners, and youth to represent the Karuk Tribe. Some of the highlights include Jen Lawrence and her father, John Davis, Karuk Tribal members advocating for justice for their brother and son Johnny Davis, who has been missing since October of 2021; collaboration with the Karuk Education Department, Karuk Youth Leadership and the Happy Camp High School to include 6 Karuk Tribal Youth, 3 girls and 3 boys, on a panel to discuss the future of MMIP prevention and response; and a group of 16 Traditional Karuk dancers and singers to connect the process of healing and justice back to culture and ceremony.

Native American and Alaska Native rates of murder, rape, and violent crime are all higher than the national averages.  When looking at missing and murdered cases, data shows that Native American and Alaska Native women make up a significant portion of missing and murdered individuals.

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

The Karuk MMIP program is focused on building partnerships with local, state and federal agencies responsible for implementing these changes. The Karuk MMIP program is also collaborating with other Tribes in the region to advance further legislative changes to address this issue.

Additional Resources:

Victim Siskiyou Domestic Violence & Crisis Center, Yreka
A safe, confidential resource offering crisis intervention, shelter, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
1-877-842-4068

Humboldt County Domestic Violence, Eureka
Offers 24/7 crisis response, shelter, and counseling services to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
1-866-668-6543

Taking Care of our Sisters Shelter Quartz Valley Indian Reservation
Taking Care of Our Sisters Shelter is committed to assisting in a healthy recovery process for all survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
530-468-5906
530-643-9865

If you have been Impacted by the epidemic of MMIP, or would like to get involved, please contact Jasmine Harvey at 707-951-8754 or jharvey1@karuk.us.