ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Gov. Hobbs makes task force to reduce violence against Indigenous community

Mar 7, 2023, 4:59 PM | Updated: Mar 8, 2023, 7:41 am

(Twitter Photo/@GovernorHobbs)...

(Twitter Photo/@GovernorHobbs)

(Twitter Photo/@GovernorHobbs)

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced a new panel Tuesday that will work to reduce and end violence against Indigenous people in the state.

The eight-member Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People will collaborate with state, federal and tribal agencies to address a national and local crisis through an interdisciplinary response, Hobbs announced through an executive order.

The group will track and collect data regarding violence against Indigenous people — including data on missing and murdered — while reviewing policies that impact violence, building effective programs and finding sustainable funding sources.

“For too long, our state has ignored tribal leaders’ pleas for help addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people,” Hobbs said in a press release. “Today, we are taking the first of many steps to stop the abuse, exploitation and violence against Indigenous peoples.

“I want to thank the Indigenous People’s Caucus at the state legislature, along with tribal leaders statewide, who have been instrumental in raising awareness of this epidemic and for laying the round work for this task force.”

The members will also look at prosecutorial trends relating to crimes of gender violence and gather information in an attempt to understand the experience of those surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous people, as a way to ensure recommendations made are culturally accurate.

Its formation comes as the number of murders of Indigenous people in Arizona have steadily increased over the past 40 years, with woman and children most at risk of victimization.

It also follows a 2022 report from the Study Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples that included counsel to establish a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force.

The panel will be comprised of a member from the state Senate and House of Representatives, the attorney general, the director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and two representatives and an attorney general from Tribal Nations located in Arizona. The attorney general and director of DPS can designate another person in their place.

There will also be a law enforcement professional from an Arizona county and five members of the public with a background in victim advocacy or health services to make up the group.

The task force will be required to submit their findings to Hobbs by Dec. 1 each year until 2026. It was her eighth executive order since taking office in January.

There are 22 federally-recognized tribal nations in the state, which has the third largest Native American population in the country.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo)...

KTAR.com

Child critically injured in accident involving police vehicle in Phoenix

A child was taken to a hospital in critical condition after being struck by a Phoenix Police patrol vehicle on Wednesday.

21 hours ago

Photo of a homeless encampment in Phoenix. Six Arizona jurisdictions were awarded nearly $20 millio...

KTAR.com

Nearly $20M awarded from new Arizona fund to combat homelessness

Six Arizona jurisdictions were awarded nearly $20 million to combat homelessness, with more than half going to the city of Phoenix.

21 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Lake Pleasant Regional Park)...

KTAR.com

Authorities recover body of man who didn’t resurface at Lake Pleasant

Authorities are searching for a man who didn't resurface in the waters at Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant on Wednesday.

21 hours ago

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets supporters at U.S. Sen. Joni Ern...

Associated Press

DeSantis defends flying migrants to California as he meets with sheriffs near border in Arizona

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in Arizona on Wednesday, defended his state's decision to fly migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to California.

21 hours ago

(ADOT Traffic Camera Photo)...

Danny Shapiro

That stinks: Manure spill slows drivers on State Route 347 in Chandler

Drivers on State Route 347 in Chandler had to deal with a bit of a stinky situation on Wednesday afternoon.

21 hours ago

(MCSO Screenshot)...

KTAR.com

MCSO releases video of deputies fatally shooting man who wielded pellet rifle in Guadalupe

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has released video of deputies fatally shooting a man who was wielding a pellet rifle in Guadalupe last month.

21 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

Arizona Gov. Hobbs makes task force to reduce violence against Indigenous community