Nevada state Assemblymember Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, announced a bill draft request on Indigenous People’s Day to establish a statewide Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Alert. The proposed system aims to address the ongoing crisis surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous people within Nevada. Backus sponsored the request, which was announced in front of the welcome to Las Vegas sign.
The intent of the bill draft request (BDR) is to create a coordinated statewide system designed for the rapid sharing of information. This system would disseminate critical details with law enforcement, Tribal Nations, media outlets, and the public when an Indigenous person goes missing under specific, qualifying circumstances. The proposed alert system is envisioned to function similarly to established alert mechanisms, such as Amber Alerts for missing children and Silver Alerts for missing vulnerable adults. Several other states, including Colorado, Washington, New Mexico, and California, currently operate similar alert systems specifically for missing Indigenous individuals.
The initiative comes as national data highlights the disproportionate rates of violence experienced by Indigenous communities. More than four out of five Indigenous people in the U.S. have been victims of violent crime. These statistics represent some of the highest rates of violence recorded for any demographic group. Indigenous women, in particular, face a significantly elevated risk, being nearly three times more likely to be murdered compared to white women. The proposed MMIP Alert seeks to provide a dedicated tool to combat this crisis by leveraging public awareness and official coordination.
During a press conference announcing the bill draft, Assemblymember Backus emphasized the urgency of locating missing individuals. Backus stated, “When someone goes missing, we know how important time is.” She further explained that an MMIP alert, once an Indigenous person is reported missing and meets the established criteria, would be crucial in getting vital information to the public. This broader dissemination of information would enable more people to be on the lookout and potentially share details that could assist in locating the missing person.
The proposed legislation is also intended to serve as an omnibus bill, addressing a range of issues affecting Native American communities across Nevada. Backus indicated that this would include cleanup language to protect Indian children who are subject to the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Native Voters Alliance Nevada played a role in authoring the bill and has identified its passage as a priority for the 2027 legislative session. Barbara Hartzell, executive director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, underscored the severe impact of disproportionate rates of violent crime on Indigenous people. Hartzell recounted personal experiences from her youth, recalling how her grandfather would speak of aunts, sisters, and cousins who disappeared without thorough investigation.
Hartzell emphasized that no family should be forced to take on the roles of investigator, advocate, and public relations campaign just to find a loved one, a reality too common for many Indigenous families facing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.
Nevada Democratic U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford and Dina Titus also attended the event and voiced their support for the proposed legislation. Representative Horsford affirmed that every missing loved one warrants an urgent response, and all families deserve to receive answers.
It is important to note that bill draft requests (BDRs) are not yet official bills. They represent formal requests made by lawmakers for a draft of a proposed bill. These drafts then undergo further amendment and discussion during the legislative session before potentially moving forward for consideration and voting. The BDR sponsored by Assemblymember Backus marks the initial step in the legislative process for establishing this new alert system.
