New Mexico creates new council to address cases of missing and slain Native Americans

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is creating a new advisory council that will be charged with implementing a state plan for responding to cases of missing or slain Native Americans. Tuesday’s announcement by state officials comes as many families have voiced frustrations that not enough has been done to tackle a gap among law enforcement agencies that has led to cases falling through the cracks. Some advocates also have criticized Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for dissolving the task force that crafted New Mexico’s response plan, fearing momentum would be lost. The federal government itself is weighing recent recommendations for addressing the problem nationwide, while neighboring Arizona and other states have established their own panels in hopes of identifying solutions.