Bill to create statewide alert system for missing Indigenous people unanimously passes

As soon as the governor signs off on it, Washington will set up a new alert system for missing and endangered Indigenous people.

Missing Indigenous women ‘crisis’ the target of new alert system proposal

The alert system, which will be the first of its kind in the nation, will be similar to existing Amber alerts or silver alerts. When activated, information about missing Indigenous women and people will be visible on highway signs, and will be sent out in press releases to media.

“The missing endangered person advisory will be used in a similar way that an Amber alert and a silver alert are used,” Senator Manka Dhingra explained.

In Washington, according to research from Seattle’s Urban Indian Health Institute, Indigenous women go missing over four times more often than white women. This is not just an issue in Washington either, but a national crisis.

“There is a growing crisis across the United States, and also in our state, as it relates to missing and endangered individuals. Often, the families are left to their own devices,” Dhingra said.

“Law enforcement has limited tools in which they can go out on social media or alert the public about this issue,” she added. “So this alert that’s been created here is yet another tool to make sure that we are aware of the crisis that is looming in our state.”

This new alert system was established through a bill sponsored by Representative Debra Lekanoff at the request of Attorney General Bob Ferguson. It passed both chambers unanimously and now goes to the governor’s desk for final approval.

“We must do everything we can do address the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women and people in the state,” Ferguson said in a written release. “This alert system will provide a way to quickly and safely locate anyone who goes missing.”

State’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women task force starts with emotional stories

The bill is also a result of the work done by the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force, made up of local tribe members, elected representatives, and advocacy groups. The Attorney General’s Office is facilitating the task force, providing staffing and support. Rep. Lekanoff is a member of the task force’s executive committee.

KIRO Newsradio reporter Nicole Jennings contributed to this report.

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