Originally Published: October 17, 2017 10:05 a.m.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. —On Oct. 9, the Law and Order Committee (LOC) received a report from Meskee Yatsayte and family members of missing persons regarding missing persons on the Navajo Nation.
Yatsayte is the founder of the Navajo Nation Missing Persons Updates volunteer group, which is comprised of volunteer advocates who distribute descriptive information of missing persons and assist families in finding loved ones.
In her report to the committee, Yatsayte described how the number of missing persons on the Navajo Nation is increasing and questioned how the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety (NNDPS) is addressing the issue.
LOC member Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. (Low Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tselani/Cottonwood) said he sympathizes with the families of missing persons and questioned how NNDPS and the Office of the President and Vice President are working to address the increase in missing persons.
In response to the questions, Navajo Nation Police Chief Phillip B. Francisco reaffirmed that police officers and criminal investigators are doing their best to gather information and investigate the missing persons reports and assured families will receive updates within a week.
LOC vice chair Council Delegate Raymond Smith, Jr. (Houck, Klagetoh, Nahata Dziil, Tsé Si áni, Wide Ruins) said gathering information and investigating missing persons needs to be taken seriously by NNPD and Navajo communities.
Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty (Beclabito, Cove, Gadi'i'áhi/To'Koi, Red Valley, Tooh Haltsooi, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, Tsé ałnáoz't'I'í), who serves as the chair of the Naabik'íyáti' Committee's Sexual Assault Prevention Sub-Committee, said policy changes that promote the protection of Navajo children and women need to be acted on immediately at the tribal, state and federal level.
LOC chair Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie (Churchrock, Iyanbito, Mariano Lake, Pinedale, Smith Lake, Thoreau) proposed two recommendations to address missing persons.
He directed the committee and the OPVP to place an ad in all local newspapers regarding missing persons in the Nation and to host a meeting with all surrounding off-reservation police departments and sheriff departments to address the rise in the number of missing persons.
The Law and Order Committee approved the report with a 3-0 vote with one directive.