Four out of five Native women have experienced violence. Yet the data meant to protect them is still incomplete, inconsistent, and often ignored. In the latest episode of Native Bidaské, host Levi Rickert sits down with Dr. Aaron Payment to unpack why the upcoming National Tribal Consultation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) could be a turning point—or another missed opportunity.
The conversation centers on the National Tribal Consultation taking place at the Shakopee Mystic Lake Casino Resort, where tribal leaders, advocates, and policymakers are expected to weigh in on the federal response to the MMIP crisis. But as Dr. Payment explains, participation isn’t just symbolic—it’s essential.
Drawing from the 2016 National Baseline Study, Dr. Payment lays out the stark reality:
-
80% of Native women have experienced violence
-
56% have experienced sexual violence
Yet even these alarming numbers fail to capture the full scope of the crisis.
What the Data Really Shows—and What It Misses
Dr. Payment challenges common assumptions around missing Indigenous people, noting that 92% of missing Native children are classified as endangered runaways, and 74% go missing from some form of care. These statistics raise urgent questions about child welfare systems, jurisdictional gaps, and accountability.
But the biggest problem, he argues, is that tribes are too often left out of how data is collected, categorized, and used.
Why This Consultation Matters
Without tribal leadership at the table, flawed data continues to shape policy—and flawed policy puts Native lives at risk. Dr. Payment stresses that the consultation is a critical opportunity for tribes to demand better data collection, stronger intergovernmental coordination, and safety measures that reflect lived realities in Native communities.
Why You Should Watch
This Native Bidaské episode doesn’t just explain the MMIP crisis—it connects the dots between data, policy, and real-world consequences. Viewers will come away with a clearer understanding of why tribal participation matters, what’s at stake in the upcoming consultation, and how systemic gaps continue to endanger Indigenous people.
? Watch the full episode on Saturday, January 17 at 1:30 pm ET to access deeper insights, critical context, and resources tied to the National Tribal Consultation on MMIP.