Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP)

The FBI and Tribal, Department of Justice, and Department of Interior partners are committed to addressing MMIP

Generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives have mourned missing murdered loved ones. Their calls for justice and healing have created nationwide attention and increased support for missing or murdered Indigenous persons.

Learn more about the FBI and Indian Country Crime.

Guides for Families  

"When Your Child Is Missing" is a guide for families written by parents who experienced firsthand the trauma of a missing child, from the U.S. Department of Justice. 

"When a Loved One Goes Missing: Resources for Families of Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Adults" is a guide from Operation Lady Justice that provides information and resources to assist family members with the search for a missing adult loved one.

Road and Horizon in New Mexico

Key Data  

Pursuant to the Requirements of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-647, 104 Stat. 4789), the FBI annually compiles and shares information on all missing persons in the "Missing and Unidentified Person Statistics NCIC Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics Report"—available on the FBI’s NCIC page.

The report summarizes the total number of missing and unidentified persons entered into—and removed—during each calendar year. Statistical breakdowns of the missing and unidentified persons entry totals by age, sex, race, and entry criteria are included.

In support of Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act Commission findings, the FBI shares information on missing American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons through the reports listed below:


Help Us Find MMIP  

The FBI is seeking public assistance and information on the following Indian country cases, many of which involve MMIP. 

You can also learn more about Native Americans verified as missing— specifically throughout New Mexico and the Navajo Nation—at fbi.gov/AQ/MMIP.

Policy Resources

  • Savanna's Act
    • A bipartisan effort to improve the federal response to MMIP, including increasing coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. 
  • Not Invisible Act Commission
    • Under the Not Invisible Act, passed in October 2020, the Departments of Justice and Interior established the Not Invisible Act Commission, a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee composed of law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. The Commission has developed recommendations through the work of six subcommittees focused on improving intergovernmental coordination, establishing best practices for law enforcement, improving services for survivors and victim’s families, and addressing the high rates of missing persons, violent crime, and trafficking in Native communities. The Commission’s report was released on November 1, 2023. Find out more about the Not Invisible Act and the work of the Commission. 
  • Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)
    • The Tribal Law and Order Act was signed into law on July 29, 2010. The Tribal Law and Order Act helps to address crime in Tribal communities and places a strong emphasis on decreasing violence against AI/AN women and children. Per the Tribal Law and Order Act, the Department of Justice annually reports investigation and prosecution information to enhance the understanding of crime in Tribal communities.