California Native American Day is a time to honor the contributions of Native Americans in the state and nation, but also a time to remember the challenges they face. The recent death of Amy Porter from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians highlights the need for improved safety measures for Native American communities, as her family suspects domestic violence played a role in her tragic passing.
The delays in responding to the family’s requests for a Feather Alert, a notification system for missing Native Americans, has raised concerns about the need for streamlining the process and granting peace officer status to tribal law enforcement. California has a high number of unresolved cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, making it crucial to address the safety and jurisdictional issues faced by tribal communities.
Legislation such as AB 1863 and AB 2138 have been introduced to improve safety for tribal members, with a focus on increasing collaboration between local, state, and tribal law enforcement. The goal is to speed up response times in cases of missing persons and ensure that tribal police have the authority to investigate cases involving their citizens off their lands.
The alarming statistics on violence against Indigenous women underscore the urgent need for action to protect tribal communities and address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. Granting tribal police state peace officer status and streamlining the Feather Alert process are key steps toward ensuring the safety and well-being of California’s First People. As we honor the memory of Amy Porter and support her grieving family, let us also work towards a safer future for all Native Americans in the state.
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