A Descriptive Analysis of Missing and Murdered Native Women and Children in Nebraska, Barriers to Reporting and Investigation, and Recommendations for Improving Access to Justice

This project proposes a new partnership between the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, which represents the four tribes of Nebraska: Omaha Tribe, Ponca Tribe, Santee Sioux Tribe, and Winnebago Tribe, as well as other Native persons living on and off tribal lands in Nebraska, and the researchers at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. The research team will conduct a pilot study involving the collection of preliminary data and secondary data analysis on the topics of murdered and/or missing Native women and children. Specifically, the proposed collaboration will include secondary analysis of quantitative data (e.g., law enforcement data [LE], data from the Nebraska’s Missing Persons Database, the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Children’s Bureau) as well as collection and analysis of qualitative data from key informants (e.g., tribal leaders and community members; state, local, and tribal LE; tribal and non-tribal victim service providers) to: (1) identify the scope and context of missing American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women and children in Nebraska, (2) identify the scope and context of murdered AI/AN women and children in Nebraska, (3) identify both challenges and promising practices regarding reporting and investigating missing and/or murdered Native American women and children in Nebraska, and (4) generate data-driven recommendations for developing and strengthening partnerships to increase opportunities for justice and support for Nebraska’s Native women, children, and families. In addition to delivering important, actionable information to Nebraska’s tribal communities, tribal and non-tribal LE, victim service providers, court systems, and legislators, the proposed collaboration will also provide a replicable model for other states to complete their own comparable research to improve responses for what is perceived as a significant public health problem. "Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF