Resources for Journalists
Why journalists must cover Indigenous stories better is a story in the Review of Journalism, highlighting the significance of how ongoing news coverage of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is covered. The article also lists several further resources for journalists, including Journalists for Human Rights and Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.
War on Indigenous Women: A Short Guide for Journalists Reporting on MMIWG, by CWGL’s Journalism Initiative on Gender-Based Violence in collaboration with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, is a guide giving an overview of MMIWG and how journalists should report on the issue, including prioritizing a survivor centered approach.
The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center also has additional resources for media to elevate the voices of Native women and grassroots advocates, including reporting guides, fact sheets, and slides and resources.
Guidelines and Best Practices for Journalists, Family Members, and Tribal Officials to Improve Media Coverage of MMIP Cases, by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Justice, gives numerous guidelines and best practices as part of their response to the Not Invisible Act Commission's recommendations.
Examples of Reporting (Selection of Fund for Indigenous Journalists Grantee Stories)
Brooklyn Brown #1 – “MMIW: Ruby Sky Montelongo” (2/26/24)
Brooklyn Brown #2 – “MMIW: Lively Crüe Colindres” (3/25/24)
Chelsea Curtis #1 – “Too long without answers: Shining a light on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People” (8/29/23)
Chelsea Curtis #2 – “Tohono O’odham community organizer could be Pima County’s first Indigenous supervisor” (12/15/23)
Bella Davis #1 – “Controversial Indian Affairs secretary leaving agency” (12/1/23)
Bella Davis #2 – “Lawmakers want attorney general to create new task force on missing and murdered Indigenous people” (1/24/24)
SAHAR KHADJENOURY & Team #1 – “NATIVE HOPE CHAMPIONS: Riding for the Missing” (11/28/22)
SAHAR KHADJENOURY & Team #2 – “Native Hope Champions: Riding for the Missing” (11/28/23)
Pamela Post #1 – "A Tale of Two Metlakatlas: Rematriating my Ts’msyen family History" (5/29/23)
Johnathan Sims #1 – “Family of Missing Navajo Woman Seeks Answers Alongside Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” (6/13/22)
Johnathan Sims #2 – “Indigenous Woman Walks Across Country In Search of MMIW Data and Answers” (7/26/22)
Darren Thompson #1 – “Thousands of Minnesotans March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, State Officials Unveil License Plate Supporting Cause” (2/19/24)
Darren Thompson #2 – “Family of murdered Oglala Lakota woman host memorial to honor memory”(3/28/24)
Connie Walker #1 – “Episode 1: Tóɫikan” (3/5/24)
Connie Walker #2 – “Episode 2: Trailing Ella Mae” (3/12/24)
When a Loved One Goes Missing: Resources for Families of Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Adults is a guide from Operation Lady Justice that provides information and resources to assist family members with the search for a missing adult loved one. This guide offers steps to take while searching for a loved one, suggestions about how to cope with trauma, and a list of resources.
MMIW Toolkit for Families and Communities outlines steps to take when a Native woman goes missing, from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.
The Indian Health Service center locator allows you to search for IHS hospitals, behavioral centers and general health clinics, which you can contact to see if a loved one may have been seen there. Keep in mind, a patient can indicate they don’t want information shared and some institutions may prohibit giving out patient information to anyone.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is a free national information clearinghouse and resource center to report missing and unidentified persons cases. NamUs allows family members of missing persons to enter and search case information, and connects families with criminal justice professionals to assist in the search for their missing loved ones. Contact NamUs at 833-872-5176 or NamUs@usdoj.gov, or contact a regional support specialist.
The FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program tracks violent crime data including information about missing and unidentified people.
List of state medical examiners and coroners organizations throughout the United States from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.