Process:

When reviewing the community listening session responses, the Advisory Council identified four themes that seemed common among Native American communities regardless of whether they were urban Indian areas or reservations:

1. Limited law enforcement resources – lack of adequate personnel

2. Lack of standardized protocols when a person is reported missing

3. Lack of communication:

   • Between law enforcement and families

   • Between agencies – Tribal law enforcement, BIA, Montana Highway Patrol, Child Protective Services, FBI, police and sheriff departments

4. Lack of accountability of system-based agencies

The Task Force discussed feedback and key observations from each listening session to identify additional questions:

• How do jurisdictions work and are they meeting the needs of families?

• Are there areas where significant gaps remain?

• How can agency responses and services to families be improved within and across jurisdictions?

• What resources do communities need?

After discussions and presentations by Montana DOJ staff and experts in the field throughout the year, the Task Force identified four strategies to recommend to the State-Tribal Relations Interim Committee for consideration before the 2021 Legislature.