Missing Indigenous Person Alert issues first notification to look for Angela Maguire
Jul 26, 2022, 11:47 AM
Angela Maguire, who went missing Saturday July 23 Photo from the Washington State Patrol
Our state has just issued its first Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) for Angela Maquire, a Lummi Nation citizen who went missing Saturday, July 23.
The new alert system specifically for indigenous people operates similarly to the AMBER alert which highlights missing children and the SILVER alert which highlights missing elderly.
When an Indigenous person is reported missing to tribal or local police, the investigator on the case now has the option to ask Washington State Patrol (WSP) to issue an alert. Both agencies must agree that issuing an alert is the best course of action.
Bill to create statewide alert system for missing Indigenous people unanimously passes
Carrie Gordon, Missing and Unidentified Person Unit director, hopes that the new alert will be an additional tool for quickly finding missing indigenous people to help save lives.
“This is a significant step for our state and agency,” Gordon said. “We know that indigenous people go missing at a significantly higher rate than the general population. WSP currently has two full time tribal liaisons that work with tribal law enforcement and advocacy groups to coordinate state communications and response to this issue
While Indigenous people make up less than 2% of Washington’s population, a Urban Indian Health Institute study shows Indigenous women are four times more likely to go missing than white women.
Maguire was last seen in Ferndale, in Whatcom County.
Lummi Nation Police say 38-year-old Maguire is likely having a mental health crisis.
Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) – Last seen in Ferndale, WA on 7/23/2022 pic.twitter.com/PYWxxEErH5
— @WSPMissingPersonAlerts (@WSPMissingPers1) July 26, 2022
You are asked to call 911 if you see her.
Her photo and updated information are above, and can also be found on the WSP Missing Persons page.
The new alert System for indigenous people operates the same way as our state’s amber alert system for missing children, to sign up for the MIPA alerts, visit WSP’s website..
