California tribes to gather at State Capitol to raise awareness for MMIP Day of Action

NORTHSTATE, Calif. — At around 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Feb. 7, hundreds of California Native tribes, including the Northstate's Yurok Tribe, Redding Rancheria, and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, will gather for the first-ever Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Day of Action at the State Capitol to advocate for tribally proposed solutions that address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people.

The solutions include two important pieces of legislation and a regional funding request for northern, central and southern California tribes that have long been excluded from many state and federal programs.

Hundreds of tribal leaders, Native American advocates, affected families and tribal community members will attend the first MMIP Day of Action in the state's history. The MMIP Day of Action will begin with light refreshments at 10 a.m. and a news briefing at 10:30 a.m.

There will be a whole slew of speakers, including the following: California Assemblyman James C. Ramos, Yurok Chairman Joseph James, Assemblyman Robert Rivas, Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango, Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman Erica Pinto, Paskenta Band of the Nomlaki Indians Chairman Andrew Alejandre, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians Chairwoman Janet Bill, Senator Scott Wilk, Assemblywomen Marie Waldron, Assemblywomen Eloise Reyes, Director of the California DOJ’s Office of Native American Affairs Merri Lopez-Kiefer, MMIP Survivor Joanna Saubel, Marlena Alva, MMIP family member, Foster youth Olivia Short Bull, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Youth Raven Casas, and Indigenous Justice Executive Director and MMIP Advocate Morning Star Gali.

The news briefing will be followed by an MMIP walk, cultural demonstrations and community engagement activities.

Most, if not all, California tribes are contending with MMIP crises. Tribal leaders across the state are calling for a historic investment of $200 million to build programs and services that prevent girls, women, and people, from becoming missing or murdered and meet pressing needs in tribal communities.

The proposal will bolster tribally led response plans, law enforcement and public health programs in northern, central, and southern California. It also calls for legislation to change broken laws and policies. Chairman of the Yurok Tribe Joseph James told KRCR about what they will be doing for this global issue.

"We will be coming into solidarity regarding this crisis that is impacting, not just California but, indigenous people across the world that we are dealing with," James explained. He said tribes from across the state will be in attendance Tuesday morning. "[Tuesday], you are going to have people from southern, central, and northern; tribes from inland, and tribes from the mountains, coming together to speak."

Some of those affected by the MMIP crisis will be there to speak as well. "You're going to have people there that are victims. You are going to have advocates there. It's not just tribe, again, it's indigenous that were driven there."

James said they will also advocate to Governor Newsom for two important pending legislations. "We have pending legislation AB-44 and AB-273 that's been introduced by Senator Ramos. These are tools and legislation that are going to help combat the MMIP crisis. We are also respectfully requesting $200 million from the governor to be included in his budget regarding this."

Assembly Bill 44 has been introduced, but hasn't been passed yet, and James explained what exactly the Assembly Bill 273 will do.

"The foster care bill, which data shows, is a pipeline for our youth to be in the MMIP system. And we have identified these loopholes and are looking to provide legislation for our people," James explained.

Jack Potter, the chairman of the Redding Rancheria, says they will be there to stand with the other tribes in solidarity. "We will be there, tomorrow, to stand with our brothers and sisters because, as you know, there are four of our missing people in Shasta County."

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