John,

Earlier this month, I helped to introduce a resolution designating May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The epidemic of missing Indigenous people is nationwide, and it’s especially dire for several of the North Coast tribes I’m honored to represent. These tragic crimes are too often ignored or dismissed by local, state and federal authorities, which is unacceptable. Studies show that Indigenous communities disproportionately experience violence, with women, girls, and elders most impacted.

This resolution is an unwavering show of solidarity with the families and communities who have lost loved ones, and it calls on all of us to commemorate the lives of victims of violence - including those whose cases have gained no media coverage and remain undocumented in public records.

It’s time to shine a light on this crisis and commit to ending an injustice that has festered far too long.

By directing national attention to the pervasive issue of MMIW, we can work to get tribal communities the long-awaited focus and support they need.

Tribal members here in the 2nd Congressional District have been tirelessly working to protect their people. Just last year, the Yurok Tribe held the inaugural Northern California Tribal Summit on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and I was honored to join them. We discussed the root causes and far-reaching impacts of this crisis, and the inadequacy of efforts thus far from state and federal governments.

Outside of Alaska, our district has the largest number of tribes of any Congressional district. As a leader on the Natural Resources Committee, I will continue working alongside Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to ensure that a swift, comprehensive solution to the MMIW crisis is a top priority.

This heartbreaking humanitarian crisis goes beyond political boundaries, John – we must all come together to support our country’s indigenous communities and work to bring them the justice they deserve.

I hope you’ll stand with me, John.

– Jared