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Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons

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The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a crisis that impacts Indigenous peoples and communities. MMIP refers to the extreme high rates of violence that Indigenous Peoples face, and the lack of data around missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. This crisis exists both on and off reservations and high rates of MMIP exist in cities. The New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs has worked to address this issue statewide to ensure that MMIP issues are highlighted.

The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department worked on MMIP issues when data was released of the high rates of MMIP in New Mexico. In response in 2019, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham established the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council Act, with House Bill 278. On May 5, 2021, Governor Lujan Grisham signed Executive Order 2021-013 to continue the advisory council. The advisory council completed their work and produced an MMIP State Response Plan.

Additionally, in 2022 the New Mexico Legislative Session approved Senate Bill 13 which created Missing in New Mexico Day. Missing in New Mexico Day is intended to support all New Mexicans who are searching for missing relatives. October 19, 2024, the third annual Missing In New Mexico Day was held by New Mexico Department of Public Safety, the Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse in conjunction with the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department.

It is the New Mexico Indian Affairs Departments plan to ensure the implementation of the New Mexico State Response plan to help address issues of MMIP and ensure safety and protection of all Indigenous People in New Mexico.