Assessing The Scope Of Missing Native Americans In New Mexico: Results From A State-Wide Study

• In Event: Assessing Victimization and Vulnerablity in Diverse Social, Historical, and Cultural Contexts

Abstract

In recent years, federal and state legislative initiatives have aimed at addressing the issue of awareness and investigative protocols regarding missing Native American individuals. In addition, there have been calls for more research into the extent to which they go missing. The current study seeks to replicate prior work on missing Native persons. Analyses from six point-in-time counts in 2023 exhibit the rates of missing people and Native American missing persons in New Mexico. Findings indicate that the majority of missing Native American persons are male. Results show that people typically go missing in their early thirties. On average, they are listed as missing for less than eight years. Overall, Native missing persons cases are listed on both the state clearinghouse and the national missing personal lists at similar rates. Implications for future research and policy for missing Native Americans are discussed.

Authors

• Alvi Ali, The University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Sheena Gilbert, The University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Alyssa Nystrom, The University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Tara Richards, The University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Emily Wright, Justice Policy Center at Urban Institute