North Dakota legislature discusses adding tribal members to missing indigenous task force

The North Dakota State Legislature's Conference Committee convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss House Bill 1308, focusing on the establishment of a task force aimed at addressing the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) in the state. A significant point of discussion was the representation of tribal nations within the task force.

Representative Holly raised concerns about the absence of tribal representatives in the proposed task force, highlighting the alarming rates of missing Indigenous individuals. He emphasized the importance of including voices from each tribe to ensure that the task force effectively addresses the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The committee acknowledged that Native American youth are disproportionately represented among those missing, with estimates indicating that at least 45% of trafficked youth in North Dakota are Indigenous.

Representative Davis further elaborated on the need for specific expertise from tribal nations, suggesting that each tribe designate a representative to the task force. This approach aims to streamline communication and ensure that the concerns of all tribes are adequately represented without overwhelming the committee with too many members.

The committee members discussed potential candidates for representation, including individuals involved in child welfare and domestic violence prevention from various tribes. The First Nations Women’s Alliance was also mentioned as a crucial entity in this work.

As the meeting concluded, there was consensus on the need for tribal representation, with plans to amend the bill to include a designated representative from each tribe. The committee agreed to work on language for the amendment, aiming to finalize it in future meetings.

This meeting underscored the urgency of addressing the MMIP crisis in North Dakota and the necessity of incorporating Indigenous perspectives in legislative efforts to combat this issue. The committee's commitment to including tribal voices reflects a growing recognition of the importance of collaboration between state authorities and Indigenous communities in tackling systemic challenges.