Oneida National Councilwoman Says Lack of Data Tracking Missing Indigenous Women Contributes to Crimes Against Them

Monday, November 8th, 2021 -- 2:00 PM

(WBAY) Oneida Nation Councilwoman Jennifer Webster says the lack of data tracking missing indigenous women contributes to crimes against them going unsolved.

This has been a problem for years. Webster sits on a task force set up by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to shine a light on it. Kaul’s task force has been around for more than a year, and the committee has held several meetings since its formation.

However, Kaul hasn’t announced a date yet on when a report will be issued with its recommendations on how to solve what the federal government is calling a crisis.

The Government Accountability Office released a report this week criticizing two federal agencies for its response to missing and murdered indigenous women.

In 2019 and 2020, the United States Congress passed two laws to address crimes against indigenous persons. Yet, the GAO determined the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Interior have failed in implementing them.

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