Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Awareness Action Team to provide a way for Navajo community members and college students to get involved

News Release

Office of the Speaker - 24th Navajo Nation Council

On Thursday, January 30, 24th Navajo Nation Council member Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty met with the Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Working Group to continue moving projects forward that would directly support Navajo communities and promote increased awareness. Delegate Crotty also announced the Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Awareness Action Team to provide a way for Navajo community members and college students to get involved in the ongoing effort.

“Our Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives team is comprised of passionate individuals who are taking on the task of creating solutions for our Navajo people. Soon, we will be unveiling our Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Missing Persons Community Action Toolkit that will aid families through the process of filing a missing person’s report and mobilizing to begin the search of their loved one,” said Delegate Crotty.

The Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Working Group was established in March 2019 through Delegate Crotty’s leadership. She has been a longtime advocate against sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking, and other social and public safety issues that affect Navajo people. The group is comprised of volunteer members who are taking a multidisciplinary approach to the missing and murdered crisis on the Navajo Nation.

Delegate Crotty said the purpose of monthly Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives team meetings is to reconvene the working group to provide updates on project areas they are working on such as developing the Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Data Institute, creating a missing persons community action toolkit, and establishing Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives as a non-profit to directly support families and Navajo communities.

She added that the toolkit would be finalized by the end of February 2020 and the group would be working with the Navajo Nation Police Department, Criminal Investigations, Navajo Department of Emergency Management, and the Navajo Administrative Service Centers to coordinate and train communities on how to utilize the toolkit to support families. The toolkit will be accessible online for all Navajo families.

Delegate Crotty said among the several projects the team is working on, they are hoping to reach out to Navajo community members and college students who would like to be a part of the Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Awareness Action Team. The team would be responsible for coordinating and aiding at events, fundraisers, and become trained to provide information to Navajo communities at local sites and through social media.

“As we build capacity for Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives, we are excited to announce that our awareness campaign has begun and will need a fresh team of motivated individuals to aid with community action, social media, event planning, and policy advocacy. I call on our Navajo relatives to reach out to us if you would like to be a part of this journey and to bring healing to our communities,” said Delegate Crotty.

To volunteer to be on the Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Awareness Action Team, please send an email to navajommdr@gmail.com and put in the subject line “Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Action Ready,” and provide your name, phone number, and a brief description about yourself, interests, and any experience in community organizing. Prior experience is not required.

Delegate Crotty is the 24th Navajo Nation Council Delegate for the communities of Beclabito, Cove, Gadii’áhí/Tó Ko’í, Red Valley, Tóh Haltsooi, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, and Tsé Ałnáozti’í.