Native American advocates seek clear plan for addressing missing and murdered cases

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A group of advocates is calling out New Mexico’s Democratic governor for disbanding a task force that crafted recommendations to address the high rate of killings and missing person cases in Native American communities. They say much still needs to be done to address jurisdictional challenges among law enforcement agencies and to build support for families. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office said the task force fulfilled its directives and that the administration remains committed to implementing the panel’s recommendations. The push by advocates comes as a national commission delivered its own recommendations this month to Congress and the Biden administration following field hearings across the country that drew hundreds of participants.