The Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) investigates missing and murdered cases in pursuit of justice for those impacted by violence. (Note: as previously mentioned, the case must meet the criteria for federal jurisdiction)
https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu
The BIA Office of Justice Services established the victim services program specifically for victims located in Indian country. It was created in part due to unique challenges encountered when crimes occur in Indian country and to help fill the gap between the Federal and tribal court systems.
https://www.bia.gov/bia/ojs/victim-assistance
https://www.bia.gov/bia/ojs/victim-assistancehttps://www.bia.gov/bia/ojs/victim-assistance
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation MMIW Liason
Special Agent Dale Fine (918) 582-9075
Victim's Services Coordinator Christy Penney-Pata has been assigned to help Indigenous families as they work through the state and federal legal system (405) 848-6724
(Please note that unless the initial investigating agency requests OSBI's assistance, including the MMIW Liason's Office, the OSBI and MMIW Liason's Office cannot assist. We learned this the hard way)
Or you can reach either Fine or Penney-Pata at:
The Sovereign Bodies Institute
Provides support services to Indigenous Survivors of violence and MMIWG2 families on a as requested, limited basis. (Includes legal and media advocacy, pushing a case forward and free teletherapy for Indigenous survivors of violence and MMIP families - limited slots available)
https://www.sovereign-bodies.org/services
The Office for Victims of Crime is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime.
https://ovc.ojp.gov/help-for-victims/overview
VictimConnect Resource Center (VCRC) is a weekday phone, chat, and text-based referral helpline operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime. Services are available for all victims of crime in the United States and its territories.
The Office for Victims of Crime of the U.S. Department of Justice has funded the National Center for Victims of Crime, National Congress of American Indians, Tribal Law and Policy Institute, and StrongHearts Native Helpline to create a web-based resource mapping tool that:
(NOTE: This tool does not identify tribal resources specifically for Native homicide victims and their families. Native resources listed include all crimes but homicide.)
https://tribalresourcetool.org/
StrongHearts Native Helpline
is a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy.
https://strongheartshelpline.org/
Project Cold Case is a not-for-profit organization with an ambitious goal of publicizing all unsolved homicides in the United States while linking information, families, and law enforcement, and ultimately helping to solve cold cases.
Whether you’re grieving, or you’re helping someone who is grieving, Dougy Center is here for you. Find tip sheets, activities, podcasts, and more through our personalized toolkits.
Talking to Children about Death and /Murder/Homicide.
https://crcvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/HOW-TO-TALK-TO-CHILDREN-ABOUT-MURDER.pdf
Child Loss by Homicide
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/child-dies-homicide/
** Families of Victims of Homicide may be entitled to Crime Victims Rights based on state law. Search Crime Victims Rights for your state to determine if your state offers crime victims rights based on state law.
RESOURCES FOR THE MISSING
While this webpage was created to assist those who have lost loved ones to homicide, because we have also experienced the circumstances of a missing loved one, we are adding a section for the Missing as well.
When Skye went missing as a teenager, and local law enforcement didn't take us seriously, we contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who then put us in direct contact with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It was only then that we received the assistance we needed for what turned out to be an Interstate case.
https://www.missingkids.org/HOME
While many of our communities have MMIW groups that may help assist with searches, the level of assistance may vary. For this reason we are sharing the link to the We Help the Missing organization.
Here is a bit about We Help the Missing and their link:
We are comprised of a team of private investigators and citizens who selflessly dedicate themselves to investigating, locating, advocating, and raising awareness of missing persons, to include indigenous people, to identify unidentified decedents and recover human trafficking victims. It makes no difference the age of the loved one or how long they have been missing. We strive to offer support to the families who are going through this difficult time.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking. Please contact:
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
In need of a second opinion? Parents of Murdered Children is an organization that not only lists resources for parent and sibling grief, they also may be able to review your case. POMC has a panel of volunteer experts that may be able to review your case and offer additional findings or suggestions to you and your investigator through their Second Opinion Services.
See the link below for the two page form and list of documents needed to submit a case for consideration.
https://pomc.org/second-opinion/
The National Association of Medical Examiners provides a list of medical examiners that conduct second autopsies, forensic autopsies as well as expert witness services and other services. Fees depend on types of services needed. To learn more contact one of the NAME members listed on the link below:
https://www.thename.org/private-autopsies
Copyright © 2022 The Skye Woman Project: A Resource For Native Homicide Victims - All Rights Reserved.
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