Gallego Hosts Roundtable on the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) joined Indigenous leaders and advocates for a roundtable discussion on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Joining tribal leaders from across the state, the roundtable discussed the issue of trafficking with Arizona sober living facilities and how tribal, local, state, and federal leaders can end the MMIP epidemic.

“Hearing from tribal leaders today, it is clear to me there’s much more work to be done to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People epidemic,” said Rep. Gallego. “But this is why it is important we have a dialogue and continue engaging to find the solutions that work, and as I stated at today’s roundtable, I’m fully committed to not just championing solutions on the federal level, but supporting our tribal, local, and state leaders as they push their own efforts. We must not rest until our tribal communities have the resources they need to protect their communities from this crisis of violence. I thank all the participants who took the time to join us this morning. Their leadership is truly inspiring.”

At the roundtable, Rep. Gallego underscored his yearslong efforts to support Arizona’s tribal communities in Congress. In fact, Rep. Gallego’s recently introduced the BADGES for Native Communities Act, which aims to combat the crisis by strengthening tribal law enforcement and increasing coordination between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

Participants of the roundtable included:

• President Martin Harvier, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Councilmember Mikah Carlos, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Lieutenant Governor Monica Antone, Gila River Indian Community
• Councilwoman Apphia Shirley, Yavapai-Apache Nation
• Miss Yavapai-Apache Nation Keikliana Lowry
• Chairman Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community
• Chairman Ona Segundo, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
• Councilwoman Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Navajo Nation
• Councilwoman Cherilyn Yazzie, Navajo Nation
• Vice Chairman Shelton Scott Crozier, Hualapai Tribe
• First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, Navajo Nation
• Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Hopi Tribe
• Chairman Peter Yucupicio, Pascua Yaqui Tribe
• Vice Chairman Ina Hall, Quechan Indian Tribe
• Councilwoman Gloria McGee, Quechan Indian Tribe
• AZ Senator Theresa Hatathlie, LD 6
• Walter Murillo, CEO, NATIVE HEALTH
• Susan Levy, Communications and Community Engagement Director, NATIVE HEALTH
• Dr. John Molina, Health Services Director, NATIVE HEALTH
• Diana Sangster, NATIVE HEALTH
• Christina Brown, Board Member, NATIVE HEALTH
• Tahnisha Sungino, Board Member, NATIVE HEALTH
• Jeanny Edaakie, Board Member, NATIVE HEALTH
• Carol Dahozy, Board Member, NATIVE HEALTH
• Lauren Baer, Integrated Behavioral Health Care Consultant, NATIVE HEALTH
• Jolayna Begay-Kroupa, CEO, Phoenix Indian Center
• Kim Russell, Director, Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care
• Markay Adams, Assistant Director, AHCCCS Division of Fee for Service Management
• Donovan Carr, Office of the Governor Katie Hobbs
• Jason Chavez, Office of the Governor Katie Hobbs
• Jocelyn Beard, Tribal Relations Manager, Office of Tribal Relations, Department of Economic Security
• Valaura Imus-Nahsonhoya, Founder/ Executive Director, Honwungsi Consulting Services
• Leah Landrum Taylor, Assistant Director, Office of Community Engagement, Department of Economic Security
• Julia Kolsrud, Lobbyist, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
• Gerilene Haskon, Tribal Liaison, Office of Health Equity, Arizona Department of Health Services
• Dr. Kate Fox, Director, Research on Violent Victimization, ASU
• Sunshine Manuel, Counsel, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Gila River Indian Community
• Gary Bohnee, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• DeDe Devine, CEO, Native American Connections

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