US Marshals Service Partners With Yurok Tribe for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service. (Courtesy of The Yurok Tribe)

Northern California’s Yurok Tribe will work with the U.S. Marshals Service as a pilot location for the agency’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, according to a Feb. 21 press release by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Initiative is in accordance with the agency’s plans to “develop tribally-led collaborative partnerships to proactively examine public safety issues—particularly those involving missing endangered children.”

In the press release, U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis stated: “It is my sincere hope that by dedicating resources in Indian Country and partnering with the Yurok Tribe, U.S. Marshals will help address the problem of missing children from the Yurok Tribe and assist with other public safety initiatives, such as ensuring that registered sex offenders in the area are compliant with their statutory requirements. We are fully committed to supporting the Yurok Tribe’s efforts to keep their communities safe.”

The U.S. Marshals Service also stated that the Yurok Tribe is “a leader on criminal justice issues in Indian Country and has done specific work on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.”

Attendees walk in Sacramento, Calif., for the MMIP Day of Action on Feb. 7, 2023. (Courtesy of The Yurok Tribe)

The Yurok Reservation is located in Northern California about 75 miles west of Mount Shasta and 250 miles north of San Francisco. According to the Tribe’s website, it is the largest tribe in California and has over 5,000 members.

“The Yurok Tribe is extremely grateful to partner with the U.S. Marshals Service on this important and timely initiative,” Yurok Tribe Chairman Joseph L. James said in a public statement. “The knowledge and tools we will gain from this unique partnership will significantly increase our capacity to keep our community safe.”

On Feb. 7, the Yurok Tribe sponsored a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Day of Action at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, the Yurok Today reported. The goal was to “advocate for tribally proposed solutions that address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people,” according to the Yurok Today.

Attendees and speakers showed their support for Assembly Bill 44 (Tribal Public Safety) and Assembly Bill 273 (Protecting and Locating Foster Children Missing from Care) which they say will help protect their children and prevent more MMIP cases.

According to the press release, the Initiative and partnership may involve training, investigative support, data analysis, public outreach, and other efforts depending on the priorities of the Tribe.