Wyoming Task Force reviews disparities in missing indigenous persons data and legislation

The Wyoming Legislature's Select Committee on Tribal Relations convened on May 23, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) and the newly developed initiative for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives (MMIR). The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance awareness and support for these initiatives, with officials emphasizing a commitment to respond to requests from tribal entities.

A significant development discussed was the passage of Senate File 114, a missing persons protocol bill aimed at improving the reporting and tracking of missing individuals. This law seeks to reduce barriers for law enforcement in accepting missing person reports, thereby increasing the likelihood of timely alerts and recovery efforts. The task force, which has primarily served in a policy advising capacity, is now transitioning to a more supportive role, actively engaging with tribal business councils to identify and assist with initiatives.

Dr. Emily Grant, who has been providing research support to the task force since its inception, presented alarming statistics indicating that homicide rates for Indigenous individuals in Wyoming are approximately eight times higher than those for white individuals. The 2025 report revealed that Indigenous people accounted for 19% of missing persons records in 2024, despite representing only 3% of the state’s population, underscoring a significant disparity in reporting.

The committee also discussed the challenges in accurately capturing data on missing persons, acknowledging that many cases go unreported due to various factors, including past experiences with law enforcement. Dr. Grant noted that the majority of missing persons cases are resolved within a week, but Indigenous individuals tend to remain missing for longer periods, raising concerns about their vulnerability to serious harm.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring these trends and to work collaboratively with tribal leaders to address the systemic issues contributing to the high rates of violence and disappearance among Indigenous populations in Wyoming. The task force aims to refine its data collection methods and enhance community engagement to better understand and combat these pressing issues.