Missing, murdered Indigenous people are a slient epidemic in Oklahoma
On May 5, a day meant to honor those missing and murdered Indigenous people, Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed House Bill 1137. The bipartisan amendment to Ida's Law removed the requirement to request federal funding, allowing the state to fund the Office of Liaison for MMIP. The veto consequently denies critical resources needed to bring loved ones home and to provide justice.
Ida's Law is named after Ida Beard, a Cheyenne and Arapaho woman who went missing in Oklahoma in 2015. The law took effect in 2021 and was intended to address systematic issues impacting MMIP cases.
Ida's Law created a formal infrastructure for MMIP cases and required the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to have a liaison to work with tribal governments and families to help coordinate investigations, limiting bureaucratic delays.
Gov. Stitt's veto is the latest example of persistent institutional failures that cause untold harm and tragic consequences.
As president and founder of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women Chahta (MMIW-Chahta), I have spent my life learning the real stories and meeting the families behind these devastating statistics and the institutional barriers that affect MMIP cases in our state.
This crisis is a result of generational trauma, media mishandling, insufficient reporting and a lack of investigative resources to protect the disproportionately affected members of our communities. Rampant racial misclassification also means even more Native people may be missing, but their cases don't officially count.
More: Oklahoma governor vetoes MMIP bill, saying investigators shouldn't prioritize cases 'based on race'
As our nation reflects during National Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Month, we must confront the deep-rooted neglect and societal indifference that has perpetuated for centuries. We must keep fighting for those we love and have lost.
House Bill 1137 received overwhelming support in both houses, demonstrating Oklahomans' desire to help those impacted by this crisis. In joining that effort, support Native organizations fighting for justice, amplify the voices of advocates and ― most importantly ― share their stories. Don't forget the individuals behind the statistics.
Oklahoma positions itself as a center for Native culture and pride. We must also lead the nation in the fight for justice for Native people.
Karrisa Newkirk is the President and Founder of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women Chahta.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tribal women ignored in Stitt's veto of bipartisan bill | Opinion
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