Indianz.Com > News > Indian Health Service: ‘Our communities have been deeply affected by our missing and murdered relatives’
Statement by IHS Acting Director Elizabeth Fowler on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Source: Indian Health Service
The following is the text of a statement from Elizabeth Fowler, the acting director of the Indian Health Service.
Today, I want to recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. This is a day to remember and honor the lives of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Our communities have been deeply affected by our missing and murdered relatives. Native people are resilient, and we must show our support to prevent the violence that has devastated so many of our communities.
The Biden Administration has shown its support for tribal nations on this important issue, and under the leadership of Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, we now have an opportunity to bring the needed resources and attention to stop the violence that plague our communities.
The contributing factors of the MMIP crisis require the attention of leaders at all levels of government in collaboration with Native American communities. The Indian Health Service will continue to support these efforts through our participation and support of the White House Council on Native American Affairs and the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Recognizing the ties between domestic and sexual violence, trafficking and MMIP, the IHS supports our communities through our nationally-funded Domestic Violence Prevention and Forensic Health Care programs and continues to work to improve the way we document and screen suspected human trafficking. Today, I am also announcing that the IHS senior advisor, Elizabeth Carr, will lead our agency’s efforts to address MMIP.
We look forward to working with the Administration as we end the MMIP crisis using a public health and safety approach.

Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: Treaties more than a century old provide both guidance and constraints
Native America Calling: Language revitalization: apps, games, and classroom lessons help keep Native languages vital
House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations holds hearing on cartels in Indian Country
Native America Calling: Tribal broadcasters scramble; Native higher ed leaders fight to keep funding
‘We’re frustrated’: Lawmakers press Indian affairs nominee on key issues
Cronkite News: Fires cause problems for Grand Canyon’s tourist economy
Press Release: Oklahoma City Indian Clinic receives health awards
AUDIO: Confirmation hearing for William “Billy” Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
VIDEO: Confirmation hearing for William “Billy” Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (July 21, 2025)
Press Release: National Congress of American Indians continues to oppose racist imagery in sports
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation prepares for the future of public safety
Native America Calling: Tribes confront resource-intensive drive of Artificial Intelligence
Statement: Corporation for Public Broadcasting on elimination of federal funding
Native America Calling: Native Bookshelf with Tanya Talaga
More Headlines
Native America Calling: Language revitalization: apps, games, and classroom lessons help keep Native languages vital
House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations holds hearing on cartels in Indian Country
Native America Calling: Tribal broadcasters scramble; Native higher ed leaders fight to keep funding
‘We’re frustrated’: Lawmakers press Indian affairs nominee on key issues
Cronkite News: Fires cause problems for Grand Canyon’s tourist economy
Press Release: Oklahoma City Indian Clinic receives health awards
AUDIO: Confirmation hearing for William “Billy” Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
VIDEO: Confirmation hearing for William “Billy” Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (July 21, 2025)
Press Release: National Congress of American Indians continues to oppose racist imagery in sports
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation prepares for the future of public safety
Native America Calling: Tribes confront resource-intensive drive of Artificial Intelligence
Statement: Corporation for Public Broadcasting on elimination of federal funding
Native America Calling: Native Bookshelf with Tanya Talaga
More Headlines