

5,712
In 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls.
10x
Indigenous Women (girls +) are murdered at 10x the rate of any other ethnicity.
TASK FORCE RED HAND

In 2024, the Traverse Project initiated Task Force RED HAND, a public/private partnership dedicated to addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis. This partnership unites nonprofits, law enforcement, corporations, and educational institutions in a collaborative effort to tackle violence against Indigenous persons. Task Force RED HAND operates on three core pillars: enhancing community vigilance through education and awareness, boosting law enforcement capabilities with advanced technical and forensic tools, and prioritizing survivor care and recovery processes.
This strategic collaboration is vital in equipping tribal law enforcement with previously inaccessible resources, thus strengthening their ability to investigate and resolve cases effectively. Particularly beneficial for Indigenous women, who are disproportionately affected by human trafficking, the initiative addresses significant challenges such as jurisdictional complexities and underreporting of crimes. Task Force RED HAND exemplifies the power of multi-sector partnerships in solving critical social issues by fostering sustainable change and supporting Indigenous communities in protecting their members and securing justice.