Montana's Missing Indigenous Persons Crisis, Explained

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) On September 15, 2026, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was a witness before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance on the missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) crisis.

During the hearing entitled “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People: Strengthening Public Safety in Tribal Communities,” Attorney General Knudsen outlined the jurisdictional challenges that affect law enforcement coordination among tribal, federal, and local law enforcement, and efforts to strengthen public safety.

"As Attorney General, my hands are tied," said Attorney General Knudsen. "I have no jurisdiction on tribal land. The Montana Legislature can pass all the bills they want, but without action from Congress, we will never see meaningful change. My agents and law enforcement officers can’t do anything on tribal lands unless they are asked by a federal agency. That results in wasted time and wasted resources in some cases.”

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Attorney General Knudsen said missing Indigenous persons accounted for 31 percent of reported missing persons cases in Montana in 2025, but make up roughly six percent of the state's population. Additionally, 48 percent of all people reported missing in Montana were male and 52 percent were female. Last year, 40 percent of the Indigenous persons who went missing were males.

"The missing and murdered Indigenous persons crisis has been plaguing our tribal communities for generations,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I’m thankful to the Trump Administration for taking the issue seriously, and to this committee for bringing this discussion to the table today as you continue to explore ways Congress can help solve the problem.”

Click here to watch Attorney General Knudsen’s opening remarks, which begin around 37:00.

Click here to read Attorney General Knudsen’s written testimony.