We are Not Alone in the Fight to Address the MMIR Crisis in our Tribal Communities

Photo Credit: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

Cultural performance at the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference in Milwaukee, WI.

Milwaukee, WI—July 31, 2025—As the video played with Pamela Foster, Ashlynne Mike’s mother, reliving the tragic story of the abduction of her son and daughter, Women are Sacred Conference attendees were reminded of the important work being done for the protection of our communities. The Women Are Sacred Conference is the “largest gathering of advocates, survivors, Tribal domestic and sexual violence programs, Tribal community members, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel” dedicated to the protection of our Indigenous relatives across the country by ending violence against women and children.

Native Public Media’s Chief Operating Officer, Brian Wadsworth, held a session titled, “Exercising Tribal Sovereignty by Becoming an Alerting Authority.” Wadsworth’s presentation highlighted what an Alerting Authority, and how Tribes can protect their communities by becoming an Alerting Authority and be able to issue the new Missing and Endangered Persons Event Code. During Wadsworth’s session, in coordination with the AMBER Alert in Indian Country organization, a video titled “Confronting an Epidemic: Empathy, Empowerment & Education” was shown. The video highlighted the importance of the AMBER Alert for the recovery of missing children in Indian Country, the importance of working together, as well as interviews from Tribal leaders and Tribal Law Enforcement, and Pamela Foster.

All 574 federally recognized Tribes are eligible to become Alerting Authorities. Alerting Authorities have the authorization to issue emergency alerts through the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). There are currently only 16 out of the 574 federally recognized Tribal Alerting Authorities. This statistic shows the need for more Tribes to become Alerting Authorities and to have the ability to issue their own AMBER or MEP Alerts when someone in their community goes missing.

Ms. Jada Breaux, Captain for the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, stated the importance of having the capability to issue an alert, “I’d rather have it [AMBER Alert] in place and never use it, than not have it and need it.” The work that NPM and AMBER Alert in Indian Country are doing together shows the impact of collaboration.

One conference attendee was grateful and appreciative of the information received during the session. She stated the following: “Up in Alaska, we do not have coordinated efforts with the State and Tribal jurisdictions. It would be great if all the Alaska Villages could become Alerting Authorities and be able to use the Missing and Endangered Persons Event Code. It can take days or even weeks for law enforcement to report a missing person.”  With some Tribes located in rural areas or across large territories, the ability for a Tribe to issue an emergency alert that crosses Tribal jurisdictions and state lines could aid in the recovery of a missing or endangered individual.

With lives on the line, it is important that no Tribe feels they are alone in this fight. With organizations like Native Public Media and AMBER Alert in Indian Country, Tribes have access to an immense array of resources. From advocacy and media with Native Public Media, to free trainings and publications from AMBER Alert in Indian Country, as well as other organizations dedicated to addressing the MMIR crisis in our communities. Mr. Greg O’Rourke, Chief of Police for the Yurok Tribal Police Department, quoted: “You don’t have to do it alone. Tribes across the U.S. are willing to share what works in getting AMBER Alert in Indian Country.”