Alaska Withholds Lists of Indigenous Missing and Murdered Persons from ProPublica Investigation

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Alaska Withholds Crucial Data in Investigations of Indigenous murders, Sparking Outrage

Juneau, Alaska – A persistent lack of clarity from Alaskan authorities is hindering efforts to address the disproportionately high rate of unsolved murders and disappearances of Indigenous peopel across the state, a recent investigation reveals. Despite repeated pledges from state leaders to prioritize the crisis, a request for basic data on homicide investigations involving Alaska Natives was denied earlier this month.

The denial came from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) in response to a public records request filed by Data for Indigenous Justice,a nonprofit institution dedicated to tracking cases of missing and murdered Indigenous individuals. The group sought a list of homicide cases investigated by state troopers since 2022, broken down by victim race.

data Transparency Concerns Mount

Austin McDaniel,Communications Director for the DPS,stated that fulfilling the request would require “several hours” of staff time to “compile or summarize” existing records,citing a state regulation allowing for denial in such circumstances. This justification has been met with criticism,as advocates argue that a simple database query should suffice,particularly given the relatively small number of homicide investigations conducted annually by state troopers – an average of 22 per year between 2019 and 2023.

the state’s reluctance to share this data is particularly troubling given that Alaska established a council on murdered and missing Indigenous people four years ago. The investigation highlights a significant disconnect between stated commitments and concrete action. Currently, the state employs four investigators specifically focused on these cases.

Charlene Aqpik Apok, founder of Data for Indigenous Justice, expressed frustration. “How do they know wich cases are alaska Native or Indigenous people for their MMIP investigators if they cannot do a simple pull of the demographics that we are talking about?” she questioned. Apok stated that accurate data is essential for recognizing the scale of the problem and ensuring adequate resources are allocated to address it.

Did You Know? According to a 2018 report from the Urban Indian Health Institute, the lack of accurate data collection is a systemic issue contributing to the invisibility of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The state’s denial mirrors similar issues faced in othre regions, emphasizing the urgent need for standardized data collection and sharing protocols across jurisdictions. In 2021,the U.S. Department of Justice launched a task force to specifically address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).

Legislative Efforts and Ongoing Challenges

Federal legislation, championed by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, aims to improve data collection and information sharing between law enforcement agencies and Tribal organizations.Governor Mike Dunleavy has also repeatedly affirmed his commitment to addressing the crisis, but critics point to the DPS’s denial as evidence of a gap between rhetoric and reality.

The lack of available data also hinders the ability to assess the effectiveness of current interventions and to identify patterns that could aid in solving cold cases. Data for Indigenous Justice has been independently collecting this information through community outreach, filling a critical void left by state authorities.

Year	Average Number of Homicide Investigations (Alaska State Troopers)
2019	22
2020	21
2021	23
2022	20
2023	24

Pro Tip: Supporting organizations like data for Indigenous justice can definitely help amplify the voices of affected communities and advocate for greater data transparency.

Community Response and Future Actions

The decision by the DPS has sparked outrage among Indigenous advocates and community members. Apok and her team plan to continue submitting public records requests and building their autonomous database.They

How does the state of Alaska justify withholding MMIP data from ProPublica’s investigation?

The scope of the MMIP Crisis in Alaska

The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is disproportionately severe in Alaska. Alaska Native women experience rates of violence far exceeding the national average. This isn’t a new problem; systemic issues and jurisdictional complexities have long hampered investigations and data collection. Recent actions by the state of Alaska, specifically withholding crucial data from a ProPublica investigation, are raising serious concerns about transparency and commitment to addressing this ongoing tragedy. The state, admitted to the union as the 49th state in 1959, and geographically positioned at the extreme northwest of North America, faces unique challenges in serving its Indigenous populations.

ProPublica’s Investigation and the Data Blockade

ProPublica, a non-profit investigative journalism organization, launched an investigation into the MMIP crisis in Alaska, aiming to create a thorough database of missing and murdered Indigenous people. This database would serve as a vital resource for families, advocates, and law enforcement. Though, the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) refused to provide complete lists of cases meeting specific criteria – specifically, cases involving Alaska Native or American Indian individuals reported missing or found deceased.

The DPS cited privacy concerns and ongoing investigations as reasons for the refusal. However, critics argue this withholding of information obstructs efforts to understand the full extent of the problem and hinders accountability. The requested data,when anonymized to protect individual privacy,could have significantly enhanced ProPublica’s reporting and provided a more accurate picture of the MMIP crisis in the state.

Why Data Transparency is Crucial for MMIP Cases

Access to accurate and comprehensive data is paramount in addressing the MMIP crisis. Here’s why:

Identifying Patterns: data analysis can reveal patterns in cases – geographic hotspots, common circumstances surrounding disappearances, and potential perpetrators.

Resource Allocation: Understanding the scope of the problem allows for targeted allocation of resources to prevention, investigation, and victim support services.

Holding Law Enforcement Accountable: publicly available data allows for scrutiny of law enforcement responses and identification of areas for improvement.

Supporting Families: A centralized database can help families locate loved ones and navigate the often-complex process of reporting a missing person.

Improving Collaboration: Shared data facilitates collaboration between tribal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Jurisdictional Challenges and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)

Alaska’s unique legal landscape,shaped by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971,contributes to the complexities of investigating MMIP cases.ANCSA established regional and village corporations, impacting land ownership and jurisdictional boundaries.

This creates a fragmented system where:

1. Tribal Courts: Have limited criminal jurisdiction.
2. State Law Enforcement: Often has primary jurisdiction, but may lack resources or cultural understanding.
3. Federal Agencies (FBI, BIA): May become involved in cases with federal nexus, but coordination can be challenging.

The lack of clear jurisdictional lines can lead to delays in investigations, cases falling through the cracks, and a lack of accountability. The withholding of data by the state further exacerbates these existing challenges.

The impact on Alaska native Communities

The MMIP crisis has a devastating impact on Alaska Native communities, causing intergenerational trauma and eroding trust in law enforcement. The lack of transparency from the state government deepens this distrust and reinforces the feeling that the lives of Indigenous people are not valued.

Families of missing and murdered individuals often face significant barriers to justice, including:

Limited Media Coverage: Cases involving Indigenous victims often receive less media attention than those involving non-Indigenous victims.

Language Barriers: Communication challenges can hinder investigations and access to services.

Cultural Differences: Misunderstandings and biases can impact law enforcement responses.

Geographic Isolation: many Alaska Native villages are remote and challenging to access, complicating investigations.

Recent Legislative Efforts and Advocacy

Despite the setbacks, there have been ongoing efforts to address the MMIP crisis in Alaska.

Savanna’s Act: Signed into law in 2020, aims to improve data collection and coordination between law enforcement agencies.

Increased Funding: Some funding has been allocated to support MMIP investigations and victim services.

Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (ANWRC) are working tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and provide support to families.

Data Sovereignty: Increasing calls for tribal data sovereignty, allowing tribes to control and manage their own data related to MMIP cases.

What Can Be Done? – Actionable Steps

Addressing the MMIP crisis requires a multi-faceted approach.Here are some actionable steps:

Demand Data Transparency: Advocate for the release of anonymized data related to MMIP cases.

Support Tribal Sovereignty: Empower tribes to investigate and prosecute crimes within their communities.

Increase Funding for MMIP Initiatives: Invest in prevention programs, victim services, and law enforcement training.

improve Collaboration: Foster better communication and coordination between tribal, state, and federal agencies.

Raise Awareness: Share information about the MMIP crisis and support advocacy efforts.