Reward fund to support local investigations and families of missing and murdered Indigenous people

Reward fund to support local investigations and families of missing and murdered Indigenous people - Aug. 17, 2023

“Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag" means “They will be remembered forever" in Ojibwe​, which is one of the languages spoken by Indigenous peoples who live within the borders of Minnesota. The name is fitting for an account that aims to keep the memories of those relatives alive or bring them home. Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) office will administer the account and oversee its advisory group.

Anywhere from 27 to 54 Indigenous women and girls were missing in Minnesota in any given month from 2012 to 2020. That is far too many families living with fear, grief and insurmountable loss.

“Each Indigenous person who goes missing or is murdered in Minnesota leaves behind a heart-broken community," MMIR Director Juliet Rudie said. “This reward fund will help us support their families and ensure these loved ones are never forgotten."

The Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Account was created by the Minnesota Legislature this year to support local investigations and community-based efforts to put a stop to the growing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Our MMIR office is filling five vacancies on the advisory group that will evaluate requests for funding and make recommendations based on their expertise.

The main purpose of the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Account Advisory Group is to pay a reward to any person who provides relevant information relating to a missing and murdered Indigenous woman, child and two-spirit relative investigation.

Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people are far more likely to experience violence, be murdered, or go missing compared with other demographic groups in our state. While Indigenous people make up just 1 percent of the state's population, 9 percent of all murdered girls and women in Minnesota from 2010-2019 were American Indian.

This advisory group will also be tasked with reviewing funding requests for local assistance and prevention efforts, from funding community-led searches or search kits to communications and media-related expenses.

We're looking to fill five open positions, including:

A representative from a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides advocacy or counseling for Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence.

A representative from a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides legal services to Indigenous women and girls.

A representative from a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides services to Indigenous women and girls.

A survivor or family member of a missing and murdered Indigenous woman, child, or two-spirit relative.

A tribal peace officer who works for or resides on a federally recognized American Indian reservation in Minnesota.

Those interested in becoming a member of this advisory group should apply immediately at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website. Director Rudie will appoint the members, who will serve four-year terms. Learn more here.