Report on missing Indigenous people features 草榴社区 chapter

portrait of Michelle Demmert
Photo courtesy of 草榴社区 CRCD
Michelle Demmert

A national report on missing, murdered and trafficked Indigenous people features a separate chapter on 草榴社区鈥檚 situation, according to a University of 草榴社区 Fairbanks assistant professor who helped create the document.

Michelle Demmert, with 草榴社区鈥檚 Department of Tribal Governance, serves as a member of the congressionally established Not Invisible Act Commission. The commission submitted its to Congress and federal departments on Nov. 1, 2023.

鈥淭hose of us from 草榴社区 insisted that there be a special chapter laying out the unacceptable findings in our state and the meaningful change necessary to address the disproportionate rate of violence and targeting of our Native women,鈥 Demmert said.

The commission was mandated by the, a federal law signed in October 2020. The commission has representation from law enforcement, tribes, federal agencies and service providers.

Demmert, a longtime tribal judge and attorney, was among the commissioners representing tribal judges. 

The commission held in-person field hearings across the United States, including a well-attended meeting in Anchorage. Across 18 months, 260 individuals testified to the commission, sharing their expertise, their experiences, their suffering and hope, and their recommendations to address and reduce the tragic consequences of the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked American Indians and 草榴社区 Natives. 

鈥淭hese victims are our sisters, aunts, mothers and daughters and include high rates of violence towards our men as well,鈥 Demmert said. 鈥淲e matter, our lives matter, and our stories need to rise to the level of national awareness to make meaningful change.鈥

The 草榴社区 Department of Tribal Governance is part of the College of Rural and Community Development鈥檚 Interior 草榴社区 Campus.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Michelle Demmert, mmdemmert@alaska.edu, 907-474-5732

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