By Forrest Camire May 5, 2021 5:38 pm
Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced a new task force to assess the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women.
The announcement comes on National Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women Day of Remembrance.
The 21-member task force, lead by the Attorney General, will include tribal organizations as well as federal, state, and local level policymakers.
The task force will analyze systemic causes behind the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women.
As of May 3rd, there are two missing Indigenous people from Whatcom County.
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SEATTLE (AP) Washington state is suing the travel insurance company Allianz, saying that its policy of excluding mental health issues from coverage is discriminatory.
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Ferguson said that violates state discrimination, insurance and consumer protection laws. Mental health disorders are considered disabilities under state law.
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May 5, 2021 1:02 PM Erin Robinson
The announcement coincided with the National Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Day of Remembrance.
The task force will include tribes and tribal organizations, as well as policy makers at the local, state and federal level.
“For too long, tribal communities have suffered violence against Indigenous women,” Ferguson said. “This task force is an important step toward achieving justice for victims and families, and bringing these women home.”
According to a release from Ferguson’s office, the task force will assess current data collection and reporting practices related to MMIW, review prosecutorial trends, identify resources to support victim services and make recommendations for increasing training for best practices when working with tribes and tribal communities.
The Pierce County Council is pausing its investigation into Sheriff Ed Troyer until the Attorney General's office concludes its criminal investigation into Troyer's conduct during a 911 call, a spokesperson for the council said on Wednesday.