WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with community advocates and legal representatives on December 9 to address gaps in public safety, improve interagency communication, and strengthen the Nation’s response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR).
Attorney Darlene T. Gomez, who represents more than 20 Navajo families seeking justice in unresolved MMIWR cases, provided an overview of the persistent challenges families face, including delayed response times, limited communication from law enforcement agencies, and inconsistent follow-up once cases are reported. Advocates emphasized the need for clearer procedures and real-time coordination between the Navajo Police Department, Criminal Investigations, and federal partners.
The group also reviewed available public-safety funding — including $5 million previously allocated to the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, $250,000 for the King Four Corners Canine Unit, and an additional $4.7 million for public-safety needs. Streamlining the grant application process was identified as a priority to ensure departments can quickly access and deploy these resources.
“I look forward to collaborating with you,” said President Nygren, who reaffirmed the importance of aligning agencies under the existing executive order that directs coordinated, real-time support for families.
Advocates presented practical tools to improve response efforts, including a three-page community toolkit for missing-person reports, standardized digital and physical case files, and USB drives containing essential child information for emergencies. These resources aim to reduce delays, ensure accuracy, and help law enforcement act swiftly when families seek assistance.
“When one of our relatives goes missing, an entire community feels the loss,” said President Nygren. “We owe it to every family to respond quickly, communicate clearly, and do everything in our power to bring their loved ones home.”
Public awareness and national outreach were also central to the discussion. Participants proposed adding a dedicated MMIWR section to the Navajo Nation’s official homepage to help families share stories, photos, and receive timely updates. Additional collaborative opportunities include potential engagement with Crime Junkie, the country’s #1 true-crime podcast, as well as support from Joe Petito, who expressed interest in helping elevate visibility and accountability for missing-persons cases involving Navajo families.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to establish clear timelines with the Department of Justice, prepare for federal-level discussions with the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, and identify coordinated actions to strengthen the Nation’s public-safety response. The insights and recommendations offered will guide the next phase of collaboration, transparency, and support for Navajo families seeking justice and healing.
