WA leaders, feds to discuss missing Indigenous people

The Brief

Indigenous persons make up about 3% of Washington's population but account for over 7% of the state's missing persons, highlighting a national crisis level of missing or murdered Indigenous people.

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is hosting the second National Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Coordinator Gathering to improve communication, response strategies, and family services, with leaders from 13 states attending.

Washington has implemented initiatives like the Missing Indigenous Person Alert system and the MMIWP Cold Case Investigations Unit, leading to successful recoveries and resolutions, but leaders emphasize the need for continued expansion of services and trust-building with law enforcement.

AUBURN, Wash. - In Washington state, Indigenous people make up about 3