If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. This platform does not replace official law-enforcement reporting.

FAMILY SUPPORT

You are not alone. Help exists.

Resources, crisis support, legal help, and guidance for families of missing Native persons.

What to Do First

Call 911 immediately

If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Law enforcement must take a missing persons report — there is no waiting period.

File a NamUs report

Any family member can file a case at namus.nij.ojp.gov. This enters the case into the national database accessible to investigators nationwide.

Contact Tribal authorities

If your loved one is a Tribal member or the disappearance occurred on Tribal land, contact your Tribal police and Tribal leadership immediately.

Contact the BIA

The BIA Office of Justice Services (833-560-2065) can assist with cases involving Tribal members, especially when local law enforcement response is inadequate.

Submit a profile on Cefa Tribal Affairs

Create a verified missing person profile here. Our moderation team will review and publish it. Verified profiles can be seen by law enforcement partners.

Connect with advocates

Organizations like MMIW USA, Sovereign Bodies Institute, and NIWRC specialize in supporting families navigating complex or under-resourced cases.

Crisis & Hotlines

StrongHearts Native Helpline

1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483)

24/7, culturally-specific domestic violence/crisis support

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

Missing children hotline

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Free, 24/7 crisis counseling

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

24/7 safety planning and support

Law Enforcement & Official Reporting

NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System)

namus.nij.ojp.gov

File or update official missing person case; accessible to families

FBI Missing Persons

tips.fbi.gov

For interstate cases or cases with federal jurisdiction

BIA Office of Justice Services

833-560-2065

For cases on Tribal lands or involving Tribal members

Local Tribal Police / Tribal Law Enforcement

Contact your Tribe

First point of contact for cases on or near reservation lands

Advocacy Organizations

MMIW USA

mmiwusa.org

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women advocacy and case tracking

Sovereign Bodies Institute

sovereignbodies.com

MMIP data, research, and family support

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center

niwrc.org

Policy advocacy, training, and family support resources

Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI)

uihi.org

Research and advocacy for urban Native communities

Grief, Trauma & Healing

Native Connections

samhsa.gov/native-connections

Suicide prevention and behavioral health for Native youth and families

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

findtreatment.gov

Locate culturally-competent behavioral health services

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Network

tfcbt.org

Evidence-based trauma support; filter for Native-serving providers

Many Hearts, One Vision

Contact Tribal health department

Tribal-specific grief and healing circles; ask your Tribal health program

Legal & Financial Support

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

ncai.org

Policy resources and Tribal legal referrals

Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

narf.org

Legal assistance for Tribal sovereignty and civil rights cases

OVC Victim Assistance Grants

ovc.ojp.gov

DOJ funding for crime victim services including families of missing persons

Crime Victim Compensation

Contact your state AG office

Financial assistance for crime-related expenses; includes some MMIW cases

Ready to submit a missing person profile?

Creating a verified profile on Cefa Tribal Affairs helps law enforcement, advocates, and community members find your loved one.

Submit a Missing Person Report