In observance of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Native Caucus Chair Clara Pratte released the following joint statement: 

“On Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, we mourn and reflect on the countless untold stories of violence that Native communities face. 

For far too long, this nation has deprived Native communities and Tribal Nations of dignity and justice, undermining the humanity of their loved ones who have gone missing or been the victims of violent crime. 

“The Biden-Harris administration recognizes that Indigenous communities have been forced to investigate these horrific disappearances or murders without adequate support and resources for far too long. Under President Biden and Secretary Deb Haaland’s leadership, we have made progress to ensure that every case is met with urgency and effective action. The administration established the Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which uses shared resources and databases from the DOJ while meeting frequently with Tribal, state, and county law enforcement programs to help bring Native families justice. 

“Today and every day, we mourn and honor the lives of those who are missing and lost, and will continue to fight and raise awareness to ensure that Indigenous communities are safe and protected.”