Operation Not Forgotten: Native advocates urge trust-building as FBI tackles open cases

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Federal officials are ramping up efforts to solve unresolved cases in Indian Country, but some within the Native American community say trust must be established for real progress to be made.

Federal Support Coming to Minneapolis for Unresolved Cases

What we know:

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI have announced that they are dedicating more resources to unresolved cases within Native American communities, with a particular focus on violence against women and children. Minneapolis is one of 11 field offices receiving support from Operation Not Forgotten.

The FBI is collaborating with tribal, federal, and local partners to investigate open cases and bring accountability for victims and their families. According to the FBI, its Indian Country program currently has approximately 4,100 open investigations, including death investigations, child abuse, domestic violence, and adult sexual abuse cases.

This effort aims to address longstanding concerns about missing and murdered Indigenous people and bring answers to families who have waited years for justice.

Native Advocates Urge Focus on Trust and Community Involvement

What they’re saying:

“To conduct an investigation, you’re going to have to talk to the families. You’re going to have to talk to the families that have been impacted. You’re going to have to talk to the community that’s been impacted to understand what happened, right? So you can understand the case and what happened. But if you have a community that doesn’t feel safe talking, and there hasn’t been trust built, that puts up a barrier to getting answers and having any accountability,” said Nicole Matthews, CEO of Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition.

Matthews said she wants answers for crime victims and to find missing and murdered Indigenous people, as well as to hold perpetrators accountable. She believes that if trust is established with a good faith effort, the community would be open to federal assistance.

“I think one thing they could do is to make a connection with Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office. I think that would be a great first step to start building those relationships and establishing trust,” Matthews said.

Matthews also said officials working on these cases could discuss their intent and purpose, as well as connect with different organizations and boards.

The Native American community has expressed concerns about federal involvement following immigration enforcement operations earlier this year, which has made some hesitant to accept help without first building trust.

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