This article examines the systemic legal barriers that contribute to the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States. This article analyzes how jurisdictional complexity among federal, state, and tribal authorities often results in gaps in law enforcement and accountability. This article highlights limitations in existing legislation and the inconsistent application of laws intended to protect Indigenous women. This article also explores how historical marginalization and underfunded tribal justice systems exacerbate these challenges. Ultimately, this article argues for comprehensive legal reforms to improve prevention, investigation, and prosecution efforts.
Elaina Erola (Sat,) studied this question.