WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council will attend a meeting and public hearing hosted by the Not Invisible Act Commission May 9. The public hearing will focus on developing recommendations to guide Congress and federal agencies on how to best combat the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and human trafficking.
The Council is encouraging members of the Navajo Nation to participate in the public hearing at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, located approximately 24 miles east of Flagstaff, Ariz. The Commission will begin meeting at 9 am and receive individual testimony from the public beginning at 1:30 pm. Please note that any information provided during the hearings, including oral testimony and written comments, is considered public record – please protect non-public or sensitive information accordingly.
The Not Invisible Act became law in October 2020 and established the Commission as a cross jurisdictional advisory committee composed of both federal and non-federal members including law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. Among its mission, the Commission is tasked to:
- Identify, report, and respond to instances of missing and murdered Indigenous people cases and human trafficking
- Develop legislative and administrative changes necessary to use federal programs, properties, and resources to combat the crisis
- Track and report data on MMIP and human trafficking cases
- Consider issues related to the hiring and retention of law enforcement offices
- Coordinate Tribal-state-federal resources to combat MMIP and human trafficking on Indian lands
- Increase information sharing with Tribal governments on violent crime investigations and other prosecutions on Indian lands
The public hearing will also focus on methods for improving intergovernmental coordination and strengthening regional resources. The Commission must submit a final report to Congress and the Attorney General by October 2023 outlining best practices for state, tribal, federal law enforcement to combat violence in the area.
"We want our peoples’ voices to be heard by the Commission and beyond. We encourage all victims, survivors, and advocates to participate in the public hearing,” Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty (Beclabito, Cove, Gadi’i’áhi/To’Koi, Red Valley, Tooh Haltsooi, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, Tsé ałnáoz’t’I’í), said.
Testimony from the public will be closed to media to allow for privacy. Trauma-informed support will be offered onsite, with possible follow-up care if needed. The Commission's facilitation team will document all oral testimony.
“The hearing will provide a platform for testimonies from law enforcement, experts, state and tribal representatives, task forces, survivors, and families. This will help to facilitate cross-jurisdictional communication, access resources, and address critical issues related to missing persons and human trafficking. I appreciate Delegate Crotty’s unwavering support for families, victims, and advocacy groups and the Commission for hosting this important hearing,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley (Low Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tselani/Cottonwood), said.
