This study, funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and titled “Identifying the Scope and Context of Missing and/or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) in New Mexico and Improving MMIP Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting” (NIJ Award 15PNIJ-22-GG-01625-REVA), aimed to replicate and expand upon a previous NIJ-funded project from 2019. This earlier project involved a partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, and the Nebraska State Patrol (NIJ Award 2019-75-CX-0014). It conducted a pilot study on the issue of missing and murdered Native persons in Nebraska and developed a model that other states could use to study MMIP.
The current study involved a new partnership between the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, researchers from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the Urban Institute, with support from the Coalition to End Violence Against Native Women. The project had two primary goals: 1) to use the “Nebraska Model” to evaluate the scope and context of MMIPs in New Mexico and 2) to build upon previous research by identifying gaps in current data collection practices and providing recommendations for enhancing long-term data collection and sustainable reporting for MMIP cases in New Mexico.
The report offers valuable insights into the issue of missing persons in New Mexico, particularly as it affects Indigenous peoples. The study’s “Extended Model” highlights the importance of comprehensive, multi-source data collection to accurately capture the extent of the problem. The qualitative data included in the report provides additional context and underscores the need for more resources, increased community engagement and awareness, improved data collection methods, integration, standardization, and a discussion of jurisdictional complexities. Additionally, it highlights the significant burden placed on the families of missing individuals.