The opening event of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Week set a powerful and sobering tone. It begins with a deep dive into Public Law 280 and its connection to the MMIWP crisis, hosted by the Chico State Office of Tribal Relations. 

Led by Jordan Johnson, a Native pre-law student and advocate, the session blended personal experience, legal analysis and real-world stories to highlight both the scale of the issue and the systemic barriers that continue to fuel it.

Johnson introduced himself by grounding his credibility in lived experience before explaining his work in federal Indian law and policy. From there, he outlined the structure of the talk, explaining, “We’re going to start off with the introduction to Public Law 280… and the relationship between the federal law and the missing and murdered indigenous peoples crisis.” This framework guided attendees through both the historical roots and present-day consequences of the law.

A central focus of the presentation was the staggering data surrounding violence against Indigenous women. Johnson emphasized  “84.3% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime,” a statistic that underscores the severity of the crisis, cementing it as a real-world issue. Yet, the issue is not just violence but also invisibility. He pointed out that cases are often “under-reported, misclassified and missing from the federal databases,” highlighting a systemic failure in documentation and response by law enforcement and the government.

This failure becomes even clearer when examining reporting systems. Johnson noted that out of thousands of cases, only a fraction are formally recorded: “In 2016, there are 5,712 reports… but only 116 cases were logged in the national missing and unidentified person system.” This gap reflects not just bureaucratic inefficiency but a broader issue of neglect and lack of accountability.

To humanize the statistics, Johnson shared the story of Emily Pike, a 14-year-old whose case remains unresolved more than a year later. He explained that “her case remains unresolved…her family community is still demanding answers and justice,” illustrating how these tragedies extend far beyond individual victims to impact entire communities. Emily’s case ultimately led to policy change, inspiring “Emily’s Law” and the Turquoise Alert system, similar to California’s Feather Alert, which aims to increase visibility when Indigenous people go missing.

At the heart of the discussion was Public Law 280, a federal law that shifted criminal jurisdiction from federal to state governments in certain states. Johnson explained the law was imposed “without tribal consent…[decisions] were made without Native input,” and crucially, “there was no funding.” This created a system where responsibility was transferred without resources, resulting in what he described as “lack of response times, creating enforcement gaps.”

One of the most striking metaphors used in the presentation was that “reservations are like quilts.” Referring to the complex patchwork of land ownership and jurisdiction, where determining authority over a crime depends on multiple variables, including location and identity. As Johnson explained, “the time is ticking…they have to make a decision,” and these delays can be critical in missing persons cases.

The consequences of these jurisdictional gaps are profound. Johnson said that Public Law 280 has “eroded tribal sovereignty” while simultaneously failing to provide effective law enforcement. This has led to unreported violence, lack of investigation and the issue of unprosecuted cases, further perpetuating the MMIP crisis.

Beyond legal structures, the presentation also addressed social and political barriers. Media coverage remains limited, contributing to what Johnson called “media erasure.” He noted that Indigenous issues are often only highlighted during specific times of the year, creating what some have described as an “unethical frame” where awareness is temporary rather than sustained.

Despite these challenges, the presentation also emphasized ongoing efforts and potential solutions. One proposal highlighted was the need to “standardize the jurisdictional rules” to reduce confusion and improve response times. Another key recommendation was the creation of a tribal assistance program to improve crime reporting and coordination between agencies, which would legally mandate both tribal and state governments to report all MMIP crimes,  creating a dual reporting framework that would improve coordination and overall communication. 

At the state level, California is taking steps forward. Initiatives like the Tribal Police Pilot Program, running from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, aim to grant tribal officers greater authority and address some of the enforcement gaps created by PL-280. These efforts reflect a broader push toward collaboration and accountability.

The event also served as a kickoff for a full week of campus activities designed to raise awareness and foster community engagement. Johnson concluded by outlining upcoming events to ensure attendees “are informed about what’s going on on our own campus.” These include awareness gatherings, educational sessions, and opportunities to participate in advocacy efforts, such as wearing red or attending community events.

Ultimately, the opening session made clear that the MMIP crisis is not just a legal issue; it is a human one. As Johnson emphasized, these are not just numbers on statistical reports, but rather real stories that devastated families. 

The week ahead aims to honor those stories while pushing for meaningful change through education, advocacy, and collective action, and to take a step beyond land acknowledgments and toward real, tangible change for Indigenous communities. 

The Office of Tribal Relations will host events throughout the week to raise awareness and provide education, honoring MMIWP: 

• Tuesday’s Spreading Awareness Event May 5, noon to 2 p.m., Trinity Lawn honoring the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, recognized in memory of Hanna Harris and symbolized by the red handprint
• Wednesday’s guest speaker Dr. Vanessa Esquivido-Hernandez May 6, 2:30–3:45 p.m., Ayres Hall 106, whose work focuses on non-federally recognized tribes and repatriation efforts under Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
• Thursday’s Butte College Big Time May 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Center Campus Lawn. Featuring cultural performances including Stella Standingbear, along with food, vendors, feather dancers and elder recognition at this fourth annual celebration. 

Merri Shiger can be reached at [email protected]