The family of a Native American woman who has been missing since 2021 is seeking closure, according to their attorney. The woman, whose name has not been released, was last seen in January of this year in a small town in the western United States.
The family’s attorney, who also represents several other families of missing Native American women, says that the lack of attention given to these cases is a major problem. “Native American women are going missing at an alarming rate, and it’s not getting the attention it deserves,” he said.
According to a report by the Urban Indian Health Institute, there were 5,712 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in 2016. However, the actual number is likely much higher, as many cases go unreported or are not properly documented.
The attorney says that the family of the missing woman is frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation. “They feel like their loved one has been forgotten,” he said. “They want answers, and they want closure.”
The family is also concerned about the way Native American women are often treated by law enforcement. “There’s a lot of mistrust between Native American communities and law enforcement,” the attorney said. “Many families feel like their concerns are not taken seriously.”
In response to these concerns, several states have passed laws aimed at addressing the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. In 2019, Montana became the first state to establish a task force to study the issue. Other states, including New Mexico and Washington, have followed suit.
However, the attorney says that more needs to be done. “We need to raise awareness about this issue and make sure that these cases are properly investigated,” he said. “We also need to address the underlying issues that contribute to this problem, such as poverty, addiction, and domestic violence.”
In the meantime, the family of the missing woman continues to search for answers. “They just want to know what happened to their loved one,” the attorney said. “They want closure, and they deserve it.”
