Bree Blackhorse Sworn in as Assistant United States Attorney Dedicated to Prosecuting MMIP Cases in the Northwest United States

Yakima, Washington - Today, United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref administered the oath of office to Assistant United States Attorney Bree R. Black Horse. A swearing-in ceremony was held at the Yakama Nation Justice Center in Toppenish, Washington.

AUSA Blackhorse will prosecute cases involving Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), in connection with the Justice Department's MMIP regional program. AUSA Black Horse will work out of our Yakima Office, but she also will serve throughout the Northwest Region - including in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and California.

"I am honored and grateful that our District was selected to have an Assistant United States Attorney dedicated to prosecuting cases related to Missing or Murdered Indigenous People," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "We are so excited for Ms. Black Horse to join our team. Our commitment to justice is not new, but it is renewed. We will continue to prioritize cases arising in Indian Country and, with renewed resources, continuing to address the root causes that have led to increased violence in our Tribal Nations - such as fentanyl, domestic violence, child abuse, illegal possession and use of firearms, illegal narcotics, and human trafficking. Our communities are safer and stronger as we join together to seek justice on behalf of victims and their families."

"Ms. Black Horse has the background and experience to excel as an AUSA focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People cases, but more importantly she has the cultural knowledge and the heart to handle MMIP prosecutions with compassion for the victims and their families, and tenacity to hold accountable those perpetrating crimes against our People," stated Gerald Lewis, Chairman, Yakama National Tribal Council.

"I joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Washington because I believe in this new role. I can meaningfully serve our Tribal communities while effectively combating MMIP in Indian country," stated AUSA Blackhorse. "I also stepped into this position to serve our MMIP victims and MMIP families. This new program is victim-centered at its core. The program aims to prevent harm to Indigenous people and help bring healing and justice to our MMIP victims and their families, and ultimately to our Tribal communities."

The MMIP regional program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General's July 2022 directive to United States Attorneys' Offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program is part of the Justice Department's promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department's Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022.

The program dedicates five MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five MMIP coordinators to provide specialized support to United States Attorneys' offices to address and combat the issues of MMIP. This support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions, and MMIP personnel will be located within host United States Attorneys' offices in the Districts of Alaska, Arizona, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Western Michigan. Program support will be provided by the MMIP Regional Outreach Program Coordinator at the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.

More broadly, this MMIP Program will complement the work of the Justice Department's National Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who is helping amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. Further, the MMIP Program will liaise with and enhance the work of the Department's Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys throughout Indian Country, the Native American Issues Coordinator, and the National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator to ensure a comprehensive response to MMIP.