Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the MMIR Event topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners weigh continuing 'Voices Unheard / Breaking the Silence' summit on missing and murdered Indigenous relatives
Summary
After organizers described last year’s three‑day 'Voices Unheard' summit—film screenings, speakers and partner tabling—commissioners agreed to continue planning discussion and put the item on the next agenda to explore funding, tribal outreach and logistics.
Commissioner Shirley Francis gave a detailed account of the 'Voices Unheard / Breaking the Silence' summit the commission held last October, describing three days of film screenings, a keynote by subject‑matter expert Lynette Grable, partner tabling and local law‑enforcement participation.
"The 1st 2 days, the 20th and 21st, we had film screenings... And then we had our feature, keynote, Lynette Grable," Francis said, explaining the event was volunteer‑run, supported by small sponsor contributions, and that the county and city helped with venue funding and speaker logistics. Francis said a post‑event audience poll rated the event about "a 4.6, 4.7," and stressed that the summit aimed to educate residents on precursors to violence and to connect victims to services.
Commissioners raised resource and jurisdiction concerns: members urged stronger outreach to tribal communities, highlighted limited funding for victim‑witness programs, and noted jurisdictional barriers that complicated searches and victim support. After discussion, the commission voted to continue the 'Voices Unheard' dialogue and place a dedicated discussion item on the next agenda to firm up commitments and responsibilities. "If we want to keep the meeting, if we want to keep it, then vote today. If not, then don't vote and just be have it be on the next agenda," Rose (staff) said; commissioners then moved and approved a motion to continue discussion.
