Missing Native Americans

Sovereign Bodies Institute filed this request with the Massachusetts State Police of Massachusetts.
Due April 29, 2019
Est. Completion None
Status
Awaiting Response

Communications

From: Sovereign Bodies Institute


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Basic information on all cases (open and closed) of missing American Indian/Alaska Native persons (including juveniles) within the state, from 2000 through 2019; this basic information can include but is not limited to: person name, age, DOB, incident date, case closure date, county/jurisdiction in which person was reported missing.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Sovereign Bodies Institute

From: Massachusetts State Police

May 8, 2019

Dear Sovereign Bodies Institute:

The Department of State Police ("Department") received and reviewed your request seeking information on "all cases (open and closed) of missing American Indian/Alaska Native persons (including juveniles) with the state, from 2000 through 2019; this basic information can include but is not limited to: person name, age, DOB, incident date, case closure date, county/jurisdiction in which person was reported missing."

Please note that the Department does not specifically maintain a database on missing persons. It is my understanding that the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) maintains a current list. Regardless, the Department's IT Unit and Fusion Center conducted a search of the Department's records system with the limited information you provided and was able to locate the attached information. If you have additional information on a specific case, please advise this office in writing and the Department will conduct a further search.

Please note that the Department has redacted date(s) of birth given privacy concerns pursuant to G.L. c. 4, §7, cl. 26 (c).

If you wish to challenge any aspect of this response, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records following the procedure set forth in 950 C.M.R. 32.08, a copy of which is available at http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/laws-by-source/cmr/. You may also file a civil action in accordance with M.G.L. c. 66, § 10A.

Respectfully,

Sean W. Farrell
Deputy Chief Legal Counsel
Massachusetts State Police
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702

From: Sovereign Bodies Institute

Hello Mr. Farrell,

Thank you for your assistance, we appreciate it. I just have a few more questions:

1. Can you confirm if Ms. Bearshield is still missing?
2. Can you confirm that the three cases provided in these records are the only incidents of people logged as missing American Indians in the state since 2000? I'm surprised the number is so low, and know of at least 1 reported incident that is not listed here.
3. Can you explain why two people with very clearly Asian names are listed as American Indian in the records provided to us?

Thank you,
Annita

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