FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 10, 2023

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CSVANW Calls on New Mexico Indian Affairs Department to Address Disbandment of MMIWR Task Force

Albuquerque, N.M.— The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) expresses deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent disbandment of the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) Task Force. This decision has raised urgent questions about the state’s commitment to addressing the MMIWR crisis, which disproportionately affects Indigenous women and girls.

CSVANW released the following statement in reaction to the news:

“Recent reports reveal over 5,700 unresolved cases of missing Indigenous women nationwide, with over 650 reported cases in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation as of April 2023.

“CSVANW emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical root causes of MMIWR, stemming from settler colonialism and nuclear colonialism. These deeply rooted issues continue to inflict violence through massacres, broken treaties, boarding schools, and land extraction, with devastating consequences for Indigenous communities. The disbandment of the task force is seen as perpetuating a cycle of violence and intergenerational trauma.

“CSVANW acknowledges that the work to address MMIWR is far from complete. Families searching for their missing loved ones require support and funding for their efforts, including covering travel expenses, lodging, and resources needed for MMIWR-related activities.

“It’s essential to recognize that MMIWR is not a distant issue or statistic; these are real-life stories and struggles faced by Indigenous families today. The impact has forced these families to adjust their way of life, advocate for themselves, deplete their savings, and endure stress-induced physical and mental illnesses.

“CSVANW calls upon the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD) to provide a transparent public statement explaining the reasons behind the disbandment of the MMIWR Task Force. Families affected by MMIWR deserve clarity regarding support plans and the allocation of funding for MMIWR prevention and justice work.

“CSVANW firmly demands the reinstatement of the MMIWR Task Force, underscoring its critical role in implementing the NM State Response Plan and the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations. Secretary Deb Haaland’s statement highlights the urgency of the situation: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.

“CSVANW urges IAD to:

• – Issue a comprehensive public statement addressing the disbandment of the NM MMIWR Task Force.
• – Outline a clear plan for advancing the State Response Plan.
• – Prioritize the Not Invisible Act Commission’s findings and recommendations.

“CSVANW invites all relevant stakeholders to unite in addressing the ongoing MMIWR crisis, ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and relatives. Together, we can work towards creating a safer future for all.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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CSVANW is an award winning organization at the forefront to a dynamic approach to the tribal domestic and sexual violence fields that is demonstrating the most effective, creative and innovative ways to address and prevent the cycle of violence within tribal communities.