Alaska working group addresses crisis of missing murdered indigenous women and girls

The Alaska State Legislature's House Tribal Affairs Committee convened on April 10, 2025, to hear a significant presentation from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWGT G2S) Alaska Working Group. Co-directors Dr. Charlene Apok and Kendra Kloster provided an overview of their ongoing efforts to address the alarming issue of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in Alaska.

Dr. Apok, who is the executive director at Data for Indigenous Justice, and Kloster, who also serves as the director of government relations for the Alaska Federation of Natives, emphasized the importance of collaboration among various Indigenous-led organizations. They highlighted the collective strength of their partnerships, which include grassroots community organizers and organizations focused on justice and healing, such as the Alaska Native Women's Resource Center and the Alaska Native Justice Center.

During the presentation, the working group shared critical statistics regarding the prevalence of violence against Indigenous individuals. They noted that Alaska has one of the highest rates of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in the United States, with a report from 2021 documenting 229 cases. Since then, their database has expanded to over 1,000 cases, reflecting both ongoing violence and improved documentation efforts.

The presenters underscored the urgency of addressing this crisis, pointing out that 82% of Indigenous men experience violence in their lifetime. They called for continued awareness and action to combat the systemic issues contributing to these staggering statistics.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the committee members to support the working group's initiatives and to further investigate the underlying causes of violence against Indigenous communities in Alaska. The discussions highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration and advocacy to ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples across the state.