Blackman, Martinez Urge for Action to Address Missing & Murdered Native Americans

State Representatives Walt Blackman (R-7) and Teresa Martinez (R-16) are for a state and federal response to alarming rates of Native Americans going missing and murdered throughout the United States.

According to a 2016 study, over 4 in 5 Native American and Alaska Native women have been victimized, and 56% have been sexually victimized. A report from the Indian Law Resource Center suggested that domestic violence rates are ten times higher than the national average. Women belonging to these groups have also had alarming rates of going missing and potentially being trafficked, while men are frequent victims of homicide and other violent deaths.

5,700 Native American and Alaska Native women and girls were reported missing in 2016, yet only 117 were logged into the federal database known as NamUs. 

Tribal law enforcement agencies frequently lack the resources to address these crises, and violence is commonly estimated to be ten times the national average in some areas.

As a result, State Reps. Blackman and Martinez are urging greater data collection, increased funding for tribal law enforcement, the creation of task forces to address the crisis, and improved coordination between agencies.

"This isn't just about numbers—these are lives lost and families shattered," said State Rep. Blackman in his press release, adding, "We need our congressional delegation, state leaders, and

federal agencies to act. Too many cases are ignored, misclassified, or left unsolved. I represent a district bordering the Navajo Nation, where many families continue to wait for justice."

Similarly, State Rep. Martinez said, "People in these communities need help—investigators, forensic tools, trained personnel, and victim services. Words are not enough. We need action. Our Native communities have waited long enough. This is a matter of justice. The time to act is now."

Blackman and Martinez will hold a press conference in the Capitol's Rose Garden on Tuesday, May 20th, to raise awareness.