Boozhoo relatives,

I am honored to write to you for the first time as the director of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) office. Thank you for the trust, strength and partnership you bring to this important work. This isn’t just a job for me. This is a shared, personal mission born of profound love, loss, grief and the courage to be resilient. To every family and survivor who has spoken out, searched for a loved one or raised awareness about the epidemic of violence we call MMIR, I am grateful to walk beside you in this work. Now is the time to walk forward together.

Our founding and interim directors built a strong foundation based in research and fortified by relationships with Minnesota’s Tribal nations, urban Indigenous communities and cross-jurisdictional partners. They elevated the need for a holistic response that is coordinated across agencies and acknowledges the root cases of this violence. They opened doors for families to be heard in the halls of government. Thanks to their work this Office stands strong and is ready for the next chapter.

Because the work has just begun.

The challenge before us is to chart a course for the years ahead. Together with your guidance, we will develop a new strategic plan that is practical, accountable and deeply rooted in the needs voiced by community. This newsletter is just one way we will stay connected about the development of that plan and opportunities for you to shape its future. In the coming months we will host listening sessions, invite you to give feedback and open doors for more conversation. I invite you to engage with me and with our team: share a resource, attend a public meeting. Every action we take together strengthens our future and that of the next generation.

Thank you for welcoming me so wholeheartedly into this role. Together we will honor our relatives, support our families and build a Minnesota where Indigenous people are visible, valued and can live free from violence.

In solidarity,

Guadalupe Lopez

Minnesota's Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund officially opens

This summer, the MMIR Office officially opened the state's reward fund to help law enforcement to solve MMIR cases. Offering up to $10,000 for tips in eligible long-term missing, suspicious death and homicide cases, the fund honors families’ calls for justice while encouraging communities to step forward with information. Learn how the program works and how you can support it through specialty plates and donations.

Get more details →

New MMIR resource available to families and the public

NamUs is the only national database for missing, unidentified and unclaimed persons
cases that allows limited access to the public. The program empowers family members to take a more proactive role in the search for their missing loved ones and facilitates communication and data sharing between them and the criminal justice agencies working these cases. The MMIR Office in conjunction with Minnesota State University Moorhead is proud to host this open training covering the basics of how to use NamUs geared toward Indigenous communities.

Take the training and stay tuned for further opportunities →

Community connections for a successful back-to-school season

In the first of a new series of webinars from the MMIR Office geared toward prevention and education, program staff from the Minneapolis American Indian Center youth services discuss their tips for navigating the back-to-school season. Learn about resources available locally including programming from the Boys and Girls Club. Parents and caregivers will also learn how to implement trauma-informed practices at home including leveraging language and culture to reduce anxiety for students. 

When: September 26 at 11 a.m.
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration: Fill out the registration form for login details →

'Not a Number' facilitator certification

"Not a Number" is an interactive child trafficking and exploitation prevention curriculum designed to provide youth with information and skills to help keep them safe. Youth learn to identify and utilize healthy support systems. There is an upcoming in-person opportunity to be trained as a certified facilitator, allowing you to deliver the curriculum to youth in your agency or community setting. This training is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health.

When: Oct. 27-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Link, 1931 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, MN 
Cost: $450
Registration: Contact Shannon Fakhoury at sfakhoury@thelinkmn.org to reserve your spot and with questions regarding the training. Contact the Love146 Prevention Team at notanumber@love146.org or 203-824-5587 with questions regarding the program and licensing.