Unveiled: The Chain of Misconduct
In a significant move to address the alarming rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the creation of the Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) within the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs in April 2021. The goal of the new MMU unit is to provide resources for investigating cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people and build cross-agency collaboration.
The MMU unit aims to prioritise these cases, keep communities safe, and provide closure for families. However, the federal government has not been reliable in the past for picking up and solving these cases, according to Kate Finn, the executive director of First Peoples Worldwide, an organization focused on the relationship between business and Indigenous peoples.
The lack of jurisdiction for tribal police is a significant challenge in investigating and prosecuting crimes. Tribal police don't have the jurisdiction to prosecute non-Native people for criminal offenses, making it difficult to investigate and prosecute crimes. This issue has been highlighted in the context of the Line 3 crude oil pipeline project, a $4 billion tar sands expansion project from Alberta, Canada, to Wisconsin, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Enbridge Communications Specialist Juli Kellner stated that the company has conducted human trafficking awareness trainings for more than 11,000 workers involved in the project. However, similar arrests of men working on the Line 3 project for soliciting sex from someone believed to be a minor occurred earlier in the year. There are fears of increased sexual violence in communities due to the construction of the Line 3 pipeline.
Taysha Martineau, a member of the Fond du Lac Band in northern Minnesota, helps lead the Indigenous-led group Gitchigumi Scouts, which is dedicated to searching for missing and murdered relatives. Martineau also founded Camp Migizi, an Indigenous queer collective on the frontlines of the Line 3 battle. Jason Goward, another member of the Fond du Lac Band, started a local chapter of the American Indian Movement to protect his community.
In some U.S. counties, murder rates are over 10 times the national average, according to a 2008 Department of Justice report. Native American women experience the highest homicide rate in the U.S., alongside Black women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These statistics are likely underestimates, according to Kate Finn.
The environmental and climate risks associated with the Line 3 pipeline are driving much of the opposition to the project. Yessenia Funes, Climate Editor, is accepting tips on sexual violence risks and abuses regarding Line 3. Chase Iron Eyes, the lead counsel for Lakota People's Law Project, has seen the pipeline workforce in local hotels where many workers are based.
There is still time for President Joe Biden to interfere and cancel the Line 3 pipeline. The MMU unit's establishment is a step towards addressing the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people, but the challenges remain significant. The fight for justice continues, and the community's efforts are more important than ever.
Read also:
- Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss
- Bonsai Trees from Evergreen Species: Exploring Growth Characteristics & Distinct Qualities
- What temperatures may make walking your canine companion uncomfortable?
- Title: Information About Beovu: Potency, Form, Usage, and Additional Details
